Seattle U. hires Joan Bonvicini as women's basketball coach

Joan Bonvicini did not mince words Tuesday after being announced as Seattle University's women's basketball coach.

"I'm a championship coach at a championship university, and I'm here to build a championship program," she said.

In Bonvicini, one of only 18 women's basketball coaches in Division I history to win 600 games, Seattle U. thinks it found the best candidate to begin its transition to Division I. The Redhawks will play a full Division I schedule this season, but they do not have a conference and will not be eligible to play in the NCAA tournament for the next three seasons.

"Joan, from my perspective, enhances our university, and enhances our women's basketball program immediately," Seattle U. athletic director Bill Hogan said. "She is that kind of a nationally known figure."

By Tuesday morning's news conference, Bonvicini had already met with Redhawks players and some local recruits. After more than 16 months passed since she had been fired from Arizona, where she coached for 17 seasons, Bonvicini was eager to return to coaching.

"I knew I'd miss basketball; I didn't realize how much," said Bonvicini, 55. "I am thrilled to coach, and I feel like I'm 25 again."

Beginning in 1996, when Bonvicini won the WNIT championship in her fifth season with Arizona, she lead the Wildcats to a stretch of eight winning seasons in nine years, including seven trips to the NCAA tournament.

In September 2005, star player Shawntinice Polk collapsed at Arizona's McKale Center and died from a pulmonary blood clot, and Bonvicini's Wildcats were never the same. After three consecutive losing seasons, Arizona fired Bonvicini in March 2008 with one year left on her contract.

"I just picked myself up and networked and talked to so many people," she said.

Bonvicini has won with a small Division I program before. She led Long Beach State to 10 NCAA tournament berths in 12 years — including the Final Four in 1987 and 1988. She has a career record of 612-294.

"I really feel we can do some special things here," she said. "Seattle is a great women's sports town, and it has excellent players here."

Bonvicini replaces Dan Kriley, who was fired July 3 despite posting a 20-9 record last season, the Redhawks' best finish in 16 years. Hogan declined to comment on Kriley's dismissal, other than to say, "We just decided to go in another direction. We're very, very appreciative for all Dan has done for the program, but we just thought it best to move in another direction."

Tom Wyrwich: 206-515-5653 or twyrwich@seattletimes.com