VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Mary Grimes was introduced as the new head coach of Binghamton University women's basketball during a press conference Friday.
The 21-year coaching veteran is joined by athletic director Eugene Marshall Jr. and BU president Harvey Stenger.
Grimes already has coaching experience in the America East, leading UAlbany to five championships in six years from 2010 to 2016.
The Bearcats' new leader explained why she wants to join the Binghamton women's basketball program.
“Having been to the East before, I know this is a top-notch institution,” Grimes said. “And I've watched their games. I've watched their games all year long. I've recruited a lot of the players that are on the team, or at least watched them play. So I understood the lay of the land and where they could go from where they are. So it's an exciting time.”
Most recently, Grimes served as the head coach at Le Moyne, where he led the Dolphins to a 14-2 conference record in their first year in Division I and won the NEC Coach of the Year Award.
Marshall Jr. explained how the winning record Grimes brings is an advantage for the program.
“The same way we recruit student-athletes, we want them to be part of winning programs,” Marshall Jr. said. “Well, when you hire a coach, you want to get a coach from a winning program, because you want it to create a culture, a winning culture, what we call a Bearcat culture. is.”
Working for a new Bearcats coach is the right thing to do.
Grimes said he spoke with the team Friday as the Bearcats begin strengthening their squad for the 2024-25 season.