Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Missy Tiber announces women's basketball staff
07/01/2009 | 12:00:00 | Women's Basketball
July 1, 2009
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois women's basketball Head Coach Missy Tiber announces the completion of her support staff.
Tiber has hired assistant coaches Adrianne Harlow and Michelle Smith, retained Tanya Bauer and added graduate assistant Nicole Woods.
Harlow has been coaching with Tiber for the last eight years at both Tusculum College and Belmont Abbey College. Her primary duties at SIU will include recruiting and player development of the Saluki guards and team business manager. Harlow will also have her hand in all responsibilities involved in being the first assistant.
"Adrianne has been such an instrumental part of the success of the programs we have coached the last eight years," Tiber said of Harlow. "She does a tremendous job relating to the players in a way that allows her to get the most out of them both on and off the court. Her knowledge of the game, desire to win and willingness to want to work hard made her a natural fit for our staff here at SIU. I am excited and privileged to have her alongside me as we make this transition in our coaching careers."
The Tipton, Ind. native was invaluable in the turnaround of the Tusculum program, helping lead the Pioneers to three-straight winning seasons, two South Atlantic Conference (SAC) titles and two straight trips to the Division II NCAA Tournament. At Belmont Abbey, Harlow helped the Crusaders average 20 wins per season and a Carolinas Virginia Athletic Conference (CVAC) title.
Harlow played her collegiate career at West Liberty State College where she was a three-time All-West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. She led the Division II ranks twice in assists per game. She led the Hilltoppers to a pair of WVIAC Championships, three WVIAC Tournament titles and three NCAA Division II Tournament berths.
Bauer, who will be in her second season at SIU, will be in her first season under Tiber. She will be responsible for the daily operations of the program and assisting in coaching and recruiting the Saluki guards.
"Tanya is well-organized and has the experience in NCAA Division I athletics that I was looking for," Tiber said of Bauer. "I am excited that Tanya has decided to stay on as part of our Saluki family. She will play a valuable role in the program and our future success."
Before coming to SIU prior to last season, Bauer spent one season as the head coach at the University of Minnesota Duluth and the previous seven years as a NCAA Division I women's basketball assistant. Bauer was Santa Clara University's top assistant from 2003-07, helping guide the Broncos to a West Coast Conference Tournament regular season and title, as well as an NCAA Tournament appearance and WNIT berth.
Prior to her four-year stint at SCU, Bauer spent 2000-03 at Drake University, helping lead the Bulldogs to a Missouri Valley Conference championships and two NCAA tournament appearances, including a trip to the 2002 Sweet 16.
The Durand, Wis. native, capped off a four-year playing career at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire by garnering Kodak NCAA Division III All-American honors. She led her team to two Division III Elite Eight appearances and one national runner-up finish during her career.
Smith, a native of Chattanooga, Tenn., will be responsible for post development and recruiting. She will also oversee the welfare of the student-athletes.
"We were patient in our assistant coach search, and I couldn't be happier with the quality of person we were able to hire to become a part of our staff here at SIU," Tiber said of her final appointment. "Michelle has the potential to develop into one of the great up and coming young coaches in the profession. She relates extremely well to the kids and that along with her recruiting experience made her a natural fit for us"
Smith spent last season as an assistant at the Savannah College of Art and Design. Prior to her time in Savannah, she spent three seasons at Chipola Junior College in Marianna, Fla., as an associate head coach, helping lead the Indians to two trips to the NJCAA National Tournament including a Final Four appearance in 2006.
Smith spent her playing career at the University of Alabama Birmingham. In her first season with the Blazers, she was named Conference USA Freshman of the Year. She wrapped up her career top-20 all-time in scoring.
Tiber also appointed her former student-athlete Nicole Woods as the graduate assistant. The Belmont-Abbey product earned NCAA Division II All-Region and All-American recognition while playing for the Crusaders. She averaged 18.5 points per game (29th in NCAA II) and was third nationally in assists, dishing out 8.1 per contest. Following her career at BAC, Woods spent one season playing in the England Basketball League for the Division I Nottingham Wildcats.
"Nicole will be a great addition to our staff here at SIU," Tiber said. "Having played for me, she understands the coaching philosophy. She will head up the Saluki basketball camps, video exchange and scouting."
