- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,133,458
- Reaction score
- 59
A familiar face is returning to the UCF women’s basketball program as former Knights coach Lynn Bria is joining Gabe Lazo’s new coaching staff.
Bria, who spent three seasons at UCF from 1996-99, recently stepped away after 18 seasons as Stetson’s head coach. She helped guide the Hatters to a 318–252 overall record and 12 postseason appearances.
“Coach Bria has established herself as one of the nation’s best head coaches during her incredible tenure at Stetson and has served as an inspiration for me throughout my career, so it immediately became a priority for me to get her back in Orlando,” Lazo said in a statement on Monday.
“Her familiarity with the state and the school will be crucial as we look to build this program to new heights. She is an elite developer of student-athletes, both on and off the court, and shares the same vision as I for what this team can achieve in the Big 12.”
Lazo was hired as UCF’s coach on Saturday, replacing Sytia Messer, who was fired on March 31 after four losing seasons with the Knights.
Bria, 57, has accumulated 471 yards during her four decades of coaching, including head coaching jobs at Texas Woman’s, UCF, Ohio and Stetson. She previously served as an assistant coach at Radford, West Virginia and Miami.
“I’ve watched Gabe work his way up through the ranks, and while being an excellent recruiter, he’s also just an incredible person,” Bria said in a statement. “He builds quality relationships and truly cares for the student athletes; he has the qualities that I want to work with.
“My affection for UCF has continued with me throughout my career; the memories haven’t gone away. I’m so grateful to Gabe and UCF for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to be back in Orlando. Charge On!”
The West Virginia native led the Knights to a 50-36 record during her three seasons in Orlando, culminating in an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1998-99.
Matt Murschel can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
Bria, who spent three seasons at UCF from 1996-99, recently stepped away after 18 seasons as Stetson’s head coach. She helped guide the Hatters to a 318–252 overall record and 12 postseason appearances.
“Coach Bria has established herself as one of the nation’s best head coaches during her incredible tenure at Stetson and has served as an inspiration for me throughout my career, so it immediately became a priority for me to get her back in Orlando,” Lazo said in a statement on Monday.
“Her familiarity with the state and the school will be crucial as we look to build this program to new heights. She is an elite developer of student-athletes, both on and off the court, and shares the same vision as I for what this team can achieve in the Big 12.”
Lazo was hired as UCF’s coach on Saturday, replacing Sytia Messer, who was fired on March 31 after four losing seasons with the Knights.
Bria, 57, has accumulated 471 yards during her four decades of coaching, including head coaching jobs at Texas Woman’s, UCF, Ohio and Stetson. She previously served as an assistant coach at Radford, West Virginia and Miami.
“I’ve watched Gabe work his way up through the ranks, and while being an excellent recruiter, he’s also just an incredible person,” Bria said in a statement. “He builds quality relationships and truly cares for the student athletes; he has the qualities that I want to work with.
“My affection for UCF has continued with me throughout my career; the memories haven’t gone away. I’m so grateful to Gabe and UCF for this opportunity, and I can’t wait to be back in Orlando. Charge On!”
The West Virginia native led the Knights to a 50-36 record during her three seasons in Orlando, culminating in an appearance in the NCAA Tournament in 1998-99.
Matt Murschel can be reached at [email protected]
Continue reading...
