The Rockford athletic department has announced the hiring of Taylor Stinson as its head women's basketball coach. Stinson takes over the women's basketball program after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach for the RU men's basketball team. Stinson becomes the 13th head coach in program history.
He replaces Jessica Stanek, who was promoted full-time to the assistant director of athletics after 11 seasons as head coach. The Regents were 75-204 in that span. Rockford finished the past season 2-23.
"We are pleased to announce the promotion of Taylor Stinson to serve as our head women's basketball coach," said athletic director Jason Mulligan. "After an outstanding playing career for the Regents, Taylor has served as an assistant on the men's basketball staff for the past four years and has done a very good job developing our student-athletes both on the court and in the classroom."
"Coach Stinson was an obvious choice to take over as the head coach of our women's basketball program," Mulligan stated. "His familiarity with the program and the University will be an advantage as we transition, and his leadership and knowledge of the game will help to further advance the women's basketball program at Rockford University."
"I am appreciative and excited to become the new women's coach at Rockford University," Stinson remarked. "I am a proud alum who believes that Rockford University is a special place and am honored to move into my new position. I would like to thank Jason Mulligan and the administration for this opportunity and their belief in me to lead the women's basketball program going forward.
"I would also like to thank (head men's basketball) coach (Andrew) Weber who provided me the opportunity to join his staff four seasons ago," Stinson stated. "I am very proud to have been a part of such a great program and wish them all the best in the future. Now I am looking forward focusing all of my time and efforts into the women's program by developing relationships and instilling values that will lead to success both on and off the floor. The high character and level of the student-athlete within the women's program is a direct credit to Coach Stanek and what she has built with this program. I hope to build and expand upon that moving forward."
Stinson's four-year playing career as a Regent included both individual and team success. During his time on the court, Rockford earned three berths in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament, including a trip to the semifinals in 2008-09. Stinson was also a key component in helping turn around a Rockford program that went 1-24 in 2007-08, to a team that finished the 2008-09 season with a 17-10 record and earned the third seed in the NACC Tournament.