Bucknell Head Women’s Basketball Coach Aaron Roussell Accepts Position at Richmond
4/2/2019 3:09:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Roussell went 151-72 (.677) in seven years at Bucknell
LEWISBURG, Pa. -- After seven successful years at the helm of the Bucknell women's basketball program, Aaron Roussell on Tuesday announced that he is leaving Bucknell to become the next head coach at Richmond.
Roussell departs after presiding over the most successful seven-year period in Bison women's basketball history. After inheriting a team that finished 5-25 the previous season, Roussell proceeded to win 67.7 percent of his games (151-72) at Bucknell, by far the best winning percentage in the 46-year history of the program.
Bucknell reached a pinnacle of success over the last four years in particular, as the Bison have gone 102-30 in that span, including a 64-8 Patriot League record. The team reached the postseason in all four seasons, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019 along with WNIT trips in 2016 and 2018.
"I would like to thank Aaron Roussell for all he has meant to Bison Athletics and our women's basketball program over the last seven years," said director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax. "Under Aaron's leadership, Bucknell women's basketball has developed into an annual contender for Patriot League championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Beyond all of the great on-court moments, Aaron did a terrific job cultivating a family atmosphere among his student-athletes, coaching staff, and the community. He leaves behind a talent-rich program that is poised to continue that success, and with that foundation firmly in place, I am confident that the search for Aaron's successor will bring forth many top-notch candidates."
"On behalf of myself and my family, I'd like to thank Bucknell and the local community for a memorable seven years in Lewisburg," Roussell said. "I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a supportive administration while coaching a special group of players in front of the best fans in the Patriot League. I will cherish the relationships and memories from my time with the Bison for the rest of my life."
A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year, Roussell guided Bucknell to a school-record 28 wins this past season against only six losses. The Bison defeated American in the Patriot League championship game to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, where their No. 12 seed was the highest for any Patriot League team since the NCAA field expanded to 64 teams in 1994. Bucknell just missed pulling off its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, falling to Florida State 70-67 in the first round in Charlotte, N.C.
The 102 victories for this year's senior class is the most in school and league history. During his time at Bucknell, Roussell recruited and developed 16 All-Patriot League performers, six Academic All-Patriot League selections, three Patriot League Rookie of the Year selections, and a PL Player of the Year in 2017 recipient Claire DeBoer.
In his very first season at Bucknell in 2012-13, Roussell's squad tripled its win total from the prior year with a 15-16 record. The significant turnaround was recognized nationally, as Roussell was named a finalist for the WBCA Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Award. The Bison increased their victory total in six of Roussell's seven seasons, and his tenure at Bucknell ends with a streak of four straight 20-win campaigns.
In addition to his eight-year stretch as head coach at the University of Chicago, Roussell will take a 312-122 (.719) record to his new position at Richmond.
A national search is now underway to identify Bucknell's next head women's basketball coach.
Roussell departs after presiding over the most successful seven-year period in Bison women's basketball history. After inheriting a team that finished 5-25 the previous season, Roussell proceeded to win 67.7 percent of his games (151-72) at Bucknell, by far the best winning percentage in the 46-year history of the program.
Bucknell reached a pinnacle of success over the last four years in particular, as the Bison have gone 102-30 in that span, including a 64-8 Patriot League record. The team reached the postseason in all four seasons, including NCAA Tournament appearances in 2017 and 2019 along with WNIT trips in 2016 and 2018.
"I would like to thank Aaron Roussell for all he has meant to Bison Athletics and our women's basketball program over the last seven years," said director of athletics and recreation Jermaine Truax. "Under Aaron's leadership, Bucknell women's basketball has developed into an annual contender for Patriot League championships and NCAA Tournament appearances. Beyond all of the great on-court moments, Aaron did a terrific job cultivating a family atmosphere among his student-athletes, coaching staff, and the community. He leaves behind a talent-rich program that is poised to continue that success, and with that foundation firmly in place, I am confident that the search for Aaron's successor will bring forth many top-notch candidates."
"On behalf of myself and my family, I'd like to thank Bucknell and the local community for a memorable seven years in Lewisburg," Roussell said. "I am incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to work for a supportive administration while coaching a special group of players in front of the best fans in the Patriot League. I will cherish the relationships and memories from my time with the Bison for the rest of my life."
A two-time Patriot League Coach of the Year, Roussell guided Bucknell to a school-record 28 wins this past season against only six losses. The Bison defeated American in the Patriot League championship game to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years, where their No. 12 seed was the highest for any Patriot League team since the NCAA field expanded to 64 teams in 1994. Bucknell just missed pulling off its first-ever NCAA Tournament win, falling to Florida State 70-67 in the first round in Charlotte, N.C.
The 102 victories for this year's senior class is the most in school and league history. During his time at Bucknell, Roussell recruited and developed 16 All-Patriot League performers, six Academic All-Patriot League selections, three Patriot League Rookie of the Year selections, and a PL Player of the Year in 2017 recipient Claire DeBoer.
In his very first season at Bucknell in 2012-13, Roussell's squad tripled its win total from the prior year with a 15-16 record. The significant turnaround was recognized nationally, as Roussell was named a finalist for the WBCA Spalding Maggie Dixon Division I Rookie Coach of the Year Award. The Bison increased their victory total in six of Roussell's seven seasons, and his tenure at Bucknell ends with a streak of four straight 20-win campaigns.
In addition to his eight-year stretch as head coach at the University of Chicago, Roussell will take a 312-122 (.719) record to his new position at Richmond.
A national search is now underway to identify Bucknell's next head women's basketball coach.
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