CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – William V. Campbell Director of Athletics
Martin Jarmond announced today the hiring of Albany women's basketball head coach
Joanna Bernabei-McNamee as the new head coach of Boston College women's basketball.
McNamee will be introduced to the media Wednesday, April 11 at 1 p.m. inside the Barber Room on the second floor of the Yawkey Athletics Center.
"We are thrilled to welcome Joanna and her family to The Heights," said Jarmond. "She is a proven head coach who can recruit and develop student-athletes, and who has shown she can win at the highest level. She has won at every program she has coached at, including serving as the recruiting coordinator and assistant coach for a National Championship team at Maryland. Joanna is one of the best young coaches in the game and brings a unique experience as a program changer at multiple levels to our program at Boston College."
McNamee led Albany to a 45-20 record during her two years as head coach. In 2016-17, she guided the Great Danes to the American East Tournament Championship and a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Last year, Albany finished 24-8 overall and participated in the WNIT.
In addition to leading Albany to consecutive 20-plus win seasons, McNamee was named the 2017 Women's Division I Coach of the Year by the Basketball Coaches Association of New York.
"I am grateful for this amazing opportunity," said McNamee. "Boston College has a nationally renowned reputation and I am honored to be a part of it.
Martin Jarmond and his staff are committed to greatness and I will match their energy and enthusiasm. Together we will bring an unprecedented winning spirit back to the BC women's basketball program. My family and I are excited and look forward to embracing the city of Boston and the great community at The Heights!"
McNamee, a native of Weirton, West Virginia, was named head coach at Albany in April of 2016 after three seasons as the head coach of the University of Pikeville in Pikeville, Ky. There, McNamee racked up 63 wins and led the program to back-to-back national tournament berths, including a program-record 26 victories and an NAIA Final Four appearance in 2016.
She was named the 2016 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) NAIA Regional Coach of the Year, and also earned Mid-South Conference Coach of the Year honors in 2015.
Prior to Pikeville, McNamee coached in both the ACC and BIG EAST. She served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Maryland for four years from 2003-07, and was an integral part of the Terrapins' 2006 National Championship season. Maryland beat Duke 78-75 in overtime for the title at TD Garden in Boston and finished with a record of 34-4. During her tenure, she brought in four straight nationally ranked recruiting classes, including three in the Top 10.
McNamee spent two years at West Virginia as an assistant coach where she was a scout, position coach and recruiting coordinator. Before her time in Morgantown, McNamee had a two-year stint at Eastern Kentucky where she was responsible for scouting and individual player development, as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator.
The West Virginia native began her head coaching career in 1998 at West Virginia Wesleyan where she compiled an 18-9 record and a third-place finish in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC), while also acting as the school's Senior Women's Administrator.
She attended West Liberty State and was named a Division II All-American and a four-time, first-team All-WVIAC selection as a point guard.
The 1997 WVIAC Player of the Year, McNamee still holds the NCAA Division II career assists record of 1,107 and the record for assists in a game with 24. She is one of only four players in NCAA history to record more than 1,000 points and 1,000 assists, finishing her stellar career with 1,317 total points.
McNamee also holds the NCAA record for average assists per game (9.5), and the school and conference marks for assists in a game, season (294) and career. She led her team to an 80-36 record over four years and is listed on West Liberty's Top 20 all-time Best Athletes list. She was the first woman to be named first-team All-West Virginia Athletic Conference for four years and was inducted into the West Liberty State Athletic Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame in 2011.
McNamee earned her bachelor's degree in exercise physiology in 1997 from West Liberty and a master's degree in sports administration from Eastern Kentucky in 1999. Joanna and her husband Joe McNamee have two sons, Luke and Caden. McNamee took a nearly four-year hiatus from coaching (2009-13) to focus on raising her children.
What They are Saying About McNamee:
"Joanna is a star in our business. She epitomizes excellence in coaching, academics and as a mentor for our student athletes. Joanna radiates positive energy, has a tenacious approach to her job and promotes strong family values. As good of a coach as she is, she's an even better person." -
Mark Benson, Albany Director of Athletics
"Ever since Joanna help lead our program to a National Championship, I knew she was a star in the making. Everywhere she's been, she's won. BC is getting an energetic, tireless worker who will pour her heart and soul into the team and program. It's an exciting day to be an Eagle." -
Brenda Frese, Maryland women's basketball head coach
"I'm thrilled that Joanna has been given this well-deserved opportunity. In addition to being a tireless worker, she is a great coach and recruiter. This is a terrific addition for both Boston College and the ACC." -
Mike Carey, West Virginia women's basketball head coach
"Having worked with Joanna at Maryland, I know she has a remarkable work ethic and will continue to strive to do great things. She is a proven winner. She'll be a wonderful addition to the Boston College family and to the Atlantic Coast Conference." -
Jeff Walz, Louisville women's basketball head coach
The McNamee File
Name:
Joanna Bernabei-McNamee (pronounced bern-uh-BEE mac-NAH-mee)
Hometown: Weirton, W.Va.
College: West Liberty State College (Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Physiology); Eastern Kentucky (Master's Degree in Sports Administration)
Husband: Joe McNamee
Children: Luke, Caden
Coaching History
Year School Position Record
2017-18 Albany Head Coach 24-8 (WNIT)
2016-17 Albany Head Coach 21-12 (NCAA Tournament)
2015-16 Pikeville Head Coach 26-9 (NAIA D-1 Final Four)
2014-15 Pikeville Head Coach 23-9
2013-14 Pikeville Head Coach 14-18
2008-09 West Virginia Asst. Coach 18-15 (WNIT)
2006-07 Maryland Asst. Coach 28-6 (NCAA Tournament)
2005-06 Maryland Asst. Coach 34-4 (National Champions)
2004-05 Maryland Asst. Coach 22-10 (NCAA Tournament)
2003-04 Maryland Asst. Coach 18-13 (NCAA Tournament)
2002-03 West Virginia Asst. Coach 15-13
2001-02 West Virginia Asst. Coach 14-14
2000-01 Eastern Kentucky Asst. Coach 22-6
1999-00 Eastern Kentucky Asst. Coach 13-15
1998-99 W. Va. Wesleyan Head Coach 18-10
1997-98 Eastern Kentucky Graduate Asst. 20-8
Overall Head Coaching Record: 126-65 (.659 win%)
Albany Head Coaching Record: 45-20 (.703 win %)
