Skidmore named Middlebury assistant coach Melissa Turner as its new head women's basketball coach, filling the vacancy created when Darren Bennett accepted an assistant coaching job at Division I Boston U.

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"With Jess's experience recruiting highly competitive academic and athletic student-athletes, we know that she will make an immediate impact on our program that has enjoyed so much success both on and off the court," said Skidmore athletic director Gail Cummings-Danson in the school's release.

Turner spent the last five seasons as an assistant under Kelly Krasco at Middlebury where she was part of the staff that helped the Panthers finish 17-8 the past two seasons. According to Skidmore's release, Turner was responsible for player recruitment, organizing and directing camps, film breakdown, and guard development. She also spent three seasons as an assistant at Green Mountain.

As a player Jessica (Banks) Turner was a three-time all-conference selection at Castleton where she finished in the top five in career scoring and assists.

"It is truly an honor to be selected as the next women's basketball coach at Skidmore," Turner said in the release. "I am humbled and incredibly excited by this amazing opportunity!

Turner will try to maintain the program's momentum following the Thoroughbreds' 18-10 season that included a Liberty League title and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Turner replaces Darren Bennett who went 193-166 in 14 seasons at Skidmore.