Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Wellness, Dr. Michael Giorlando, announced the women’s basketball team’s new head coach in a press conference on Loyola’s campus Monday.

Kellie Kennedy, the former Tulane University assistant women’s basketball coach, will replace Dobee Plaisance as head coach of the team.

Plaisance resigned from her position as Loyola’s women’s basketball head coach this past May. She accepted the head coaching position for the Lady Colonels at Nicholls State University.

Plaisance served as head coach for the ‘Pack for 13 consecutive seasons, and was named the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for two consecutive years, 2007 and 2008.

During her time with the Green Wave, Kennedy was in charge of recruiting, oversaw scheduling and supervised Tulane’s annual basketball tournament. She also assisted with scouting opponents and the annual summer camp. Kennedy left her job as assistant coach following the 2005-2006 Green Wave season to enter into private business.

Kennedy said in a press release for the athletic department following her newly appointed position, “I want to thank Dr. Michael Giorlando, Dr. Cissy Petty, Fr. Kevin Wildes and the entire Loyola community for the opportunity to be the head women’s basketball coach. “We want to continue the success that this program has had on and off the court,” Kennedy said. “Loyola is a special place where student athletes can grow academically and athletically and I can’t wait to get started.”