GREENSBORO, N.C. – UNCG Director of Athletics Kim Record announced the hiring of coaching veteran Trina Patterson as women’s basketball head coach Sunday. Patterson brings 17-years of head coaching experience at the NCAA Division I level to the Spartans and joins UNCG after spending the last three years as the top assistant at Old Dominion. Additionally, she has been part of USA Basketball as an assistant coach on two different occasions in her career.
Patterson, a native of Newport News, Va., joins the Spartans after spending the last three years on the staff at Old Dominion for coach Karen Barefoot. During her time at ODU, the Lady Monarchs posted three straight appearances in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), including second round showings the past two years. She helped ODU record 56 wins over the past three seasons, including a 21-win campaign in 2014-15.
“I am honored to be named the women’s basketball coach at UNCG," Patterson said. “I would like to thank Chancellor Dr. Franklin Gilliam Jr., Kim Record and all the members of the search committee for this opportunity. Throughout the interview process, it was clear that this administration is passionate about helping the women’s basketball program succeed at the highest level. I am excited about the future of UNCG women’s basketball. This program has a great tradition and we will build upon that and create a winning culture. My family and I are excited to become a part of the UNCG family.”
Patterson has helped Old Dominion bring in recruiting classes ranked in the top 50 in the nation the last two seasons. During her time she has helped the Lady Monarchs boast six All-Conference honorees, including Jennie Simms. Simms was named the 2015 C-USA Newcomer of the Year and is a two-time Conference USA All-Conference First Team selection. Patterson’s leadership extended far beyond the basketball court as well, as six Lady Monarchs were named to the C-USA All-Academic Team and two received C-USA Academic Medals.
Old Dominion was a defensive force in Conference USA during Patterson’s time in Norfolk. The Lady Monarchs finished the season ranked in the top five in six defensive categories, including topping the league in rebounding margin (+6.7) and ranking second in field-goal percentage defense (.397).
Prior to Old Dominion, Patterson spent two seasons working for Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame coach Tara VanDerveer at Stanford, working primarily with the Cardinal frontcourt and recruiting efforts. During that span Stanford racked up a 68-5 record, capturing the Pac-12 double (conference regular-season and tournament titles) each season and reached its fifth straight Final Four in 2012.
Prior to arriving at Stanford, Patterson served as head coach at University at Albany from 2002-10. She also served two prior head-coaching tenures -- University of Maryland Eastern Shore (1999-2000) and the College of William & Mary (1991-99). She was named conference coach of the year on two different occasions during her 17-year career as leader of a program, earnings honors at both William & Mary and Albany.