UA assistant hired as NAU women's coach

Published Jun. 18, 2012 12:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. -- Northern Arizona announced Monday that Arizona assistant coach Sue Darling will lead the Lumberjacks' women's basketball program.

Darling, an assistant at Arizona for the last four seasons, replaces Laurie Kelly, who resigned from NAU in April. As the top assistant at UA, Darling served as the offensive coordinator and directed player and team development. She was also involved in recruiting, scouting and marketing.

Darling, a 1983 graduate of Arizona, has coached for 27 years, including her stint at Arizona, a stint at Arizona State from 1993-96 and three years as the head coach at Air Force from 1998-2001. She also served as an assistant coach at Northwestern and Dartmouth and has head coaching experience at the high school level in Arizona and Colorado.

"We are excited to have an experienced coach with deep ties in the state of Arizona to lead our women’s basketball program," said NAU athletic director Lisa Campos. "Sue Darling is a high-energy, dedicated coach who wants to develop a program that will represent NAU and Flagstaff. She is a great addition to our coaching staff."

Added NAU president John Haeger: "Sue Darling is a great addition to Northern Arizona University’s athletics program. She brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm that will invigorate the women’s basketball program and engage our students, alumni and the community."

The NAU women went 9-20 overall and 4-12 in Big Sky play last season.

"NAU is a special place, and I am thrilled to be here," Darling said. "Dr. Haeger has reinvigorated NAU athletics with his vision and commitment, and I look forward to making NAU women’s basketball a source of great pride and tradition for us all.

"I am really looking forward to getting to work and turning our program into a program that excels and inspires -- a program of which we can all be proud. There is certainly a lot of work to be done, but at the end of the day, this is a gem of a program for many, many reasons. I am so excited about this opportunity."