Former standout player Felisha Legette-Jack was named the new Syracuse women's basketball coach on Saturday.
The 55-year-old Legette-Jack has spent the past 10 seasons as head coach at Buffalo, finishing with five 20-win seasons and four trips to the NCAA tournament. Before that, she led programs at Indiana (2006) and Hofstra (2002).
She had a 25-9 record at Buffalo this season, including a 16-4 mark in MAC play.
"My goal is simple - pursue championships in the classroom and on the basketball court," said Legette-Jack, who in November became the first female athlete at Syracuse to have her jersey number retired. "We will work tirelessly to help our team understand that character will always be first, academics will be a close second and we will find the best athletes in the world to make you all proud."
As a player, Legette-Jack, who still ranks in the top 10 in career points and rebounds at Syracuse, led the Orange to their first Big East title and NCAA tournament berth. She was a three-time All-Big East selection, conference freshman of the year and a two-time honorable mention All-American.
"We are thrilled to have Coach Legette-Jack lead our women's basketball program," athletic director John Wildhack said. "She is a builder of programs, evidenced by the success she had at the University at Buffalo. She is totally committed to the full development of every student-athlete and staff member who is part of her program."
Legette-Jack becomes the seventh coach in program history, replacing Vonn Read, who served as acting head coach for the 2021-22 season following the resignation of Quentin Hillsman in August.
She inherits a troubled program that finished the 2021-22 season at 11-18 overall and 4-14 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. Read was placed in a difficult position three months before the season began. He was tabbed to replace Hillsman after his former boss resigned amid allegations by several former members of the program of bullying, threats and unwelcome physical contact.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.