By: Eastern Connecticut State University Athletics

WILLIMANTIC, Conn. – A veteran of 26 seasons as a collegiate women's basketball coach – 22 of them in the role of a head coach – Mandy King has been appointed as the fifth head coach in the 54-year history of the Eastern Connecticut State University women's basketball program, as announced by director of athletics Lori Runksmeier. She officially begins her duties on Aug. 25.

A native of Dexter, Maine, King replaces Denise Bierly, who retired in March after compiling a 31-year record of 553-279 and leading the Warriors 15 post-season tournaments and 13 seasons of at least 20 victories.

"I am deeply honored to be appointed as the head women's basketball coach at Eastern Connecticut State University," offered King. "Eastern has a distinguished tradition in both athletics and academics, and I am committed to continuing the legacy established by coach Bierly and the exceptional young women who wore the jersey over the past 31 years."

After playing collegiately at the Division III level as a point guard at the University of Southern Maine – like Eastern, a member of the Little East Conference – King has gone on to coach at the Division III level in all but two seasons of her 26-year career.

As a head coach at Division III institutions Kean University and Washington & Lee University, King won 295 games and lost 268 in 22 seasons.

At Kean – a member of the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) – King was 172-152 in 13 seasons and led the Cougars to nine NJAC tournaments and one NJAC regular-season title. At one point over four straight non-Covid seasons, Kean compiled a won-loss record of 67-37. Five players earned All-America recognition and 20 were named all-region under King.
In King's second season at Kean in 2013/14, the Cougars turned around a 5-18 campaign to win 18 of 30 games and capture the ECAC Metro Region championship by winning three tournament games by an average of 16 points.

At Washington & Lee, King was 123-116 over nine seasons, leaving the program as the winningest coach in program history. Three of her players were named to all-region teams. In her seventh season with the Generals in 2009/10, King led the program to its first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship and first NCAA tournament berth and a final record of 18-10. The Generals followed it up the next year with a record 19 wins (against eight losses) and a berth in the ODAC semifinals.

Prior to being named W&L's fourth head coach, King spent two seasons as assistant coach at Division II Bloomsburg University in her first college coaching appointment following two seasons as a graduate assistant at NJAC institution The College of New Jersey, where the Lions posted consecutive 20-win seasons and reached the NCAA Elite Eight once.

"The community at Eastern is truly special," points out King. "The administrators, coaches, and support staff genuinely care about each other and work collaboratively and tirelessly to create an environment where everyone can do their best work and win championships. I can't wait to contribute to this welcoming family."

As a player at Southern Maine, King helped the Huskies to three Little East championships and as many berths in the NCAA Sweet 16 and, as a fifth-year senior, to the 1998 national championship game, the program averaging 25 wins a season in that span. The two-time team captain, who still ranks second all-time at USM in career assists, was named national Comeback Player-of-the-Year in 1997 after overcoming a second serious knee injury.

"I am thrilled to come home to the Little East Conference," notes King. "My experience playing at USM, competing in the Little East, and advancing to a Final Four profoundly shaped my life and everything I do as a coach. It's an honor for me to be led by director of athletics Lori Runksmeier and reconnect with my mentor, LEC commissioner Al Bean."

King readily admits that she makes use of the transfer portal, but that her emphasis will be upon attracting players to the program who are committed for the long haul. "You win with high-character student-athletes who have each other's backs and refuse to lose. You create that culture with fourth and fifth-year players who understand the work, sacrifice, resiliency and teamwork needed for success. The transfer portal can complement the foundation, but it is important to have players who dedicate themselves to Eastern Basketball, our greatest aspirations, and something bigger than themselves."

Eastern graduated two players from last year's 11-15 team (10-6 LEC) which featured 11 freshmen and sophomores along with its two seniors. In 2022/23, the Warriors posted their 20^th 20-win season in program history and qualified for their 19^th NCAA tournament as an at-large qualifier.