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Chicago Tribune
03-04-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
DePaul promotes Jill Pizzotti to replace longtime women's basketball coach Doug Bruno
DePaul promoted assistant Jill Pizzotti on Thursday to take over for longtime coach Doug Bruno, who stepped down last week. Pizzotti was hired by DePaul in 2011 and served as interim coach with Bruno missing this season because of health issues. The Blue Demons went 13-19 overall and finished sixth in the Big East Conference at 8-10. 'This season, I had the opportunity to see Jill in a new light as Interim Head Coach, and I was especially impressed by her ability to teach, lead, and build consensus among the young women in our program,' athletic director DeWayne Peevy said in a statement. 'She knows exactly what it takes to compete at a championship level, and she has the recruiting ability, player development expertise, and motivational leadership to bring the best to Chicago and keep them here. Jill understands the direction this program needs to go, and I have full confidence in her ability to continue the championship standard we've come to expect for our women's basketball program at DePaul.' DePaul has made the NCAA Tournament 10 times and advanced to the Sweet 16 twice since Pizzotti's arrival. The Blue Demons have won six Big East regular-season championships and five conference tournaments in that time. She was elevated to associate head coach in 2014. 'Working to fulfill the vision of legendary coach Doug Bruno is an honor,' she said. 'We want to bring DePaul women's basketball back to national prominence and use the energy and momentum in our great sport now to reach new heights.' A Chicago-area product, Pizzotti has three decades of coaching experience. She was head coach at Saint Louis University from 1995 to 2005 after working as an assistant at Northern Kentucky and Indiana. From 2005 to 2010, she was Nike's manager of women's college basketball, serving as the liaison with the nation's top teams as well as the Women's Basketball Coaching Association and USA Basketball. She was an assistant at West Virginia for the 2010-11 season, when the Mountainers finished 24-10 and made the NCAA Tournament. Pizzotti has big shoes to fill at DePaul. Bruno played for Naismith Hall of Fame coach Ray Meyer. He led the women's team to 786 wins, 25 NCAA Tournament berths and 19 conference titles over 39 seasons and two stints after initially being hired in 1977. He was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022.
NBC Sports
28-03-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Doug Bruno steps down as DePaul coach after 39 seasons at the school
DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno stepped down after 39 seasons at the school after he missed this season with health issues. Bruno will stay at the school as the special assistant to the vice president/director of athletics for women's basketball. 'I owe my professional athletic life to DePaul University, starting with Coach Ray Meyer offering me a basketball scholarship in 1968 and continuing through my athletic department roles as ticket manager, facilities director, academic advisor, athletic administrator and head women's Basketball Coach. DePaul University has been my home for 44 years,' Bruno said. He was hired in 1977 as the program's second head coach and won 786 games during his time at the school. That's 18th all-time in Division I history. Bruno has led DePaul to 25 NCAA Tournament berths and 19 conference titles. The Blue Demons reached the Sweet 16 four times and were ranked in the AP Top 25 for 221 weeks during his tenure as head coach. 'Doug Bruno's extraordinary impact on DePaul University and the game of women's basketball is nothing short of legendary,' vice president/director of athletics DeWayne 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.' Bruno was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. He missed this past season dealing with a medical issue. 'I would also like to personally thank Jill Pizzotti for being such a supportive assistant coach and stepping up fearlessly in my medical leave of absence,' Bruno said. '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.' Throughout his career, a total of 15 players were drafted by the WNBA, including WNBA All-Star and two-time Sixth Player of the Year Allie Quigley. Bruno oversaw DePaul's transition into Conference USA ahead of the 1995-96 campaign and went on to win the regular season title in the first season with a record of 13-1. The Blue Demons entered the Big East in 2005-06 and have stayed there ever since. Bruno went to DePaul as an undergraduate and played for Meyer, starting for two seasons. DePaul will start a national search for Bruno's replacement.
CBS News
28-03-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno stepping down after 39 seasons
DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno stepped down after 39 seasons at the school after he missed this season with health issues . Bruno will stay at the school as the special assistant to the vice president/director of athletics for women's basketball. "I owe my professional athletic life to DePaul University, starting with Coach Ray Meyer offering me a basketball scholarship in 1968 and continuing through my athletic department roles as ticket manager, facilities director, academic advisor, athletic administrator and head women's Basketball Coach. DePaul University has been my home for 44 years," Bruno said. He was hired in 1977 as the program's second head coach and won 786 games during his time at the school. That's 18th all-time in Division I history. Bruno has led DePaul to 25 NCAA Tournament berths and 19 conference titles. The Blue Demons reached the Sweet 16 four times and were ranked in the AP Top 25 for 221 weeks during his tenure as head coach. "Doug Bruno's extraordinary impact on DePaul University and the game of women's basketball is nothing short of legendary," vice president/director of athletics DeWayne 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." Bruno was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. He missed this past season dealing with a medical issue. "I would also like to personally thank Jill Pizzotti for being such a supportive assistant coach and stepping up fearlessly in my medical leave of absence," Bruno said. "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." Throughout his career, a total of 15 players were drafted by the WNBA, including WNBA All-Star and two-time Sixth Player of the Year Allie Quigley. Bruno oversaw DePaul's transition into Conference USA ahead of the 1995-96 campaign and went on to win the regular season title in the first season with a record of 13-1. The Blue Demons entered the Big East in 2005-06 and have stayed there ever since. Bruno went to DePaul as an undergraduate and played for Meyer, starting for two seasons. DePaul will start a national search for Bruno's replacement.
Chicago Tribune
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
DePaul to begin national search for next women's basketball coach after Doug Bruno steps down
DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno is stepping down after 39 seasons and a 786-405 record at the helm of the program. 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.'
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Doug Bruno steps down as DePaul coach after 39 seasons at the school
Doug Bruno steps down as DePaul coach after 39 seasons at the school FILE - DePaul head coach Doug Bruno calls to his team in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against UConn, Monday, Jan. 23, 2023, in Storrs, Conn. (AP Photo/Jessica Hill, File) DePaul women's basketball coach Doug Bruno stepped down after 39 seasons at the school after he missed this season with health issues. Bruno will stay at the school as the special assistant to the vice president/director of athletics for women's basketball. 'I owe my professional athletic life to DePaul University, starting with Coach Ray Meyer offering me a basketball scholarship in 1968 and continuing through my athletic department roles as ticket manager, facilities director, academic advisor, athletic administrator and head women's Basketball Coach. DePaul University has been my home for 44 years,' Bruno said. Advertisement He was hired in 1977 as the program's second head coach and won 786 games during his time at the school. That's 18th all-time in Division I history. Bruno has led DePaul to 25 NCAA Tournament berths and 19 conference titles. The Blue Demons reached the Sweet 16 four times and were ranked in the AP Top 25 for 221 weeks during his tenure as head coach. 'Doug Bruno's extraordinary impact on DePaul University and the game of women's basketball is nothing short of legendary,' vice president/director of athletics DeWayne 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." Bruno was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. Advertisement He missed this past season dealing with a medical issue. 'I would also like to personally thank Jill Pizzotti for being such a supportive assistant coach and stepping up fearlessly in my medical leave of absence," Bruno said. "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.' Throughout his career, a total of 15 players were drafted by the WNBA, including WNBA All-Star and two-time Sixth Player of the Year Allie Quigley. Bruno oversaw DePaul's transition into Conference USA ahead of the 1995-96 campaign and went on to win the regular season title in the first season with a record of 13-1. Advertisement The Blue Demons entered the Big East in 2005-06 and have stayed there ever since. Bruno went to DePaul as an undergraduate and played for Meyer, starting for two seasons. DePaul will start a national search for Bruno's replacement. ___ AP March Madness bracket: and coverage: Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season.
