Former Rice hoops star Morgan Valley named head coach at University of Hartford

Morgan Valley's first head-coaching gig is bringing her back to New England.

The two-time Free Press Miss Basketball winner at Rice Memorial High School was introduced as the University of Hartford women's basketball team's new bench boss on Thursday. 

This is an incredible opportunity and such an honor to be selected as the leader of the Hartford women's basketball program," Valley said in a statement.

And she is no stranger to central Connecticut. Valley spent four years on the women's basketball team at UConn, reaching four consecutive Final Fours and capturing three NCAA championships.

 "I couldn't be more thrilled to join Hawk Nation, and I can't wait to carry on the winning tradition that has been established by both Jen Rizzotti and Kim McNeill," said Valley. "Four of the best years of my life were spent here in Connecticut, and it is truly a dream to be coming back home."

The Hawks went 23-11 last winter and earned a trip to the WNIT under McNeill, who resigned last month to take over at East Carolina. 

Valley joins the America East school — a rival of Vermont — after two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Arizona. While there, she helped secure the Wildcats the fifth-best recruiting class in the nation last summer, according to a news release.

Prior to Arizona, Valley spent two years at the University of Washington, helping the Pac-12 school to its first Final Four berth in 2016.

More:Vermont native Valley returns to Final Four

Valley's 14-year coaching career also included a graduate stint at her alma mater, as well as stops at Virginia Tech, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Towson and Holy Cross.

Contact Austin Danforth at 651-4851 or edanforth@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @eadanforth.