DePaul to begin national search for next women's basketball coach after Doug Bruno steps down
Bruno, who was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022, will move into a new role with the Blue Demons as the Special Assistant to the Vice President/Director of Athletics for Women's Basketball on May 1. DePaul announced Friday it will begin a nationwide search for its new coach.
One of the most prominent figures in women's basketball in Illinois and beyond, Bruno led DePaul to 25 NCAA Tournament appearances, including 18 straight berths through 2020 before that tournament was canceled because of COVID-19. His teams made the Sweet 16 four times.
Bruno missed the 2024-25 season while on a medical leave. The team announced prior to the season that he was dealing with a 'medical complication,' and Jill M. Pizzotti served as interim coach in his absence. Pizzotti has been with the Blue Demons for 14 seasons and finished her 11th year as associate head coach. DePaul was 13-19 this season, including 8-10 in the Big East.
Bruno said in a statement that he owes his 'professional athletic life to DePaul University,' where he also played basketball under Ray Meyer. He first served as coach in 1976-77 for two seasons and then returned to the job in the 1988-89 season. He also worked as an assistant at Loyola for eight seasons.
'Athletic success is the result of three forces coming together and working together: a talented, hardworking and supportive administration, coaching staff, and most importantly, players, and I've been fortunate to experience all three at DePaul,' Bruno said in the statement, before thanking DePaul athletic leaders, including Pizzotti.
'Jill Pizzotti's leadership of our program has been exemplary as has been the extra effort and teamwork of our entire staff. Finally, I would like to offer my deepest personal appreciation to all of those who helped grow our DePaul Women's Basketball program.'
Bruno has been a longtime champion of growing the women's game. He served on multiple women's basketball committees and was a USA Basketball assistant for the senior national team from 2009-16. His Doug Bruno girls basketball camps have helped teach tens of thousands of young players for decades.
DePaul athletic director DeWayne Peevy said in a statement that Bruno's greatest contribution was his 'relentless commitment to developing both the character and the careers of the young women who passed through our program.'
'Doug Bruno's extraordinary impact on DePaul University and the game of women's basketball is nothing short of legendary,' Peevy said. 'For nearly four decades, Doug has been the heart and soul of our program, elevating it to national prominence while setting a standard of excellence that transcends wins and losses.
'His leadership has not only defined the Blue Demons' success but also paved the way for countless student-athletes, coaches, and fans who have witnessed the growth of women's basketball under his guidance.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant hit the gym with Victor Wembanyama, others
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant was among the players who were spotted working out at the practice facility in pictures posted by the team on Wednesday. Bryant was joined on the court by Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama at the Victory Capital Performance Center. They were seen going through various on-court workouts, with Bryant guarding Johnson in one sequence. The offseason period is an excellent chance for incoming rookies to get to know their teammates and build chemistry on and off the court. Bryant has had a busy summer in the local community and had the opportunity to work out with several players on Wednesday. Bryant was the 16th pick in the draft after helping Arizona to the Sweet 16 last season, averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist on 37.1% shooting from 3-point range. He scored in double figures five times, including a season-high-tying 14 points on Jan. 27. The 19-year-old logged six appearances with the Spurs in summer league, averaging 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 assists on 28.6% shooting from the field. He wrapped up his stay with a 16-point, five-rebound performance on July 17. Bryant appears to have ingratiated himself well within the area and with his new teammates after joining the organization in June. The team was excited to add him and is eager to watch him hit the court. This article originally appeared on Rookie Wire: Spurs news: Carter Bryant hit the gym with Victor Wembanyama, others
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Spurs rookie Carter Bryant hit the gym with Victor Wembanyama, others
San Antonio Spurs rookie Carter Bryant was among the players who were spotted working out at the practice facility in pictures posted by the team on Wednesday. Bryant was joined on the court by Stephon Castle, De'Aaron Fox, Keldon Johnson, Luke Kornet, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama at the Victory Capital Performance Center. They were seen going through various on-court workouts, with Bryant guarding Johnson in one sequence. The offseason period is an excellent chance for incoming rookies to get to know their teammates and build chemistry on and off the court. Bryant has had a busy summer in the local community and had the opportunity to work out with several players on Wednesday. Bryant was the 16th pick in the draft after helping Arizona to the Sweet 16 last season, averaging 6.5 points, 4.1 rebounds, and one assist on 37.1% shooting from 3-point range. He scored in double figures five times, including a season-high-tying 14 points on Jan. 27. The 19-year-old logged six appearances with the Spurs in summer league, averaging 7.3 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and 1.2 assists on 28.6% shooting from the field. He wrapped up his stay with a 16-point, five-rebound performance on July 17. Bryant appears to have ingratiated himself well within the area and with his new teammates after joining the organization in June. The team was excited to add him and is eager to watch him hit the court.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
MSU hoops' Tom Izzo feels he's 'adjusted to this new era' of college basketball
Tom Izzo: 'I've adjusted to this new era more than I think. Sure, there have been some rough spots. But players are the most important thing to me.' The college basketball world is ever changing, and Spartans head coach Tom Izzo believes he's adjusted more than many believe. Izzo was speaking at the Larry Shyatt's coaching clinic on Wednesday, where he addressed a number of items in the world of college basketball. One of which was the ever changing nature of the college basketball landscape and how he's been forced to change his philosophy on a number of things. Per a post on social media from college basketball insider and reporter Jeff Goodman, Izzo believes he has "adjusted" more than he thinks, and acknowledged that it wasn't always easy for him to make the necessary changes. 'I've adjusted to this new era more than I think," Izzo said during the coaching clinic. "Sure, there have been some rough spots. But players are the most important thing to me.' This past year's success on the court for the Spartans helps vindicate that statement from Izzo, with Michigan State claiming the Big Ten title by more than three games and reaching the Elite Eight in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2019. Hearing Izzo acknowledge that there have "been some rough spots" should also be promising for fans since it shows he isn't set in his old ways and is clearly adjusting to the new era of college basketball. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
