DC Names McCord as Interim Head Coach for Women's Hoops

DEFIANCE, Ohio – The Defiance College athletics department has announced that Craig McCord will assume the role of interim head coach for the women's basketball program effective immediately. A national search for the head coaching position is expected to begin in March.

"As we considered candidates who would be a good fit to step in as our interim head women's basketball coach this season, we looked for a person who fit certain criterion. We looked for someone with previous head coaching experience with women's basketball and who was really excited for the challenge," said Defiance College Athletics Director Jenni Morrison. "Coach McCord fit that and I believe he will do an excellent job."

McCord will serve as the 11th head coach in the 39-year history of DC's women's basketball program. During that span the Yellow Jackets have piled up 14 conference championships, 33 winning seasons and an all-time mark of 637-308 for a crisp .674 winning percentage.

"I am looking forward to the challenge and am very excited about working with the young women who will be representing Defiance College on the hardwood," stated McCord. "Our goal is to put a competitive team on the court who will represent themselves, their families and DC in a positive manner."

McCord is no stranger to the DC athletics program, having served as an assistant coach for the Jackets on the gridiron over the past eight seasons. Despite an extensive background coaching football at the high school and collegiate ranks, the Ohio High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Famer boasts plenty of success as a coach on the hardwood as well.

McCord led the women's basketball program at Ayersville High for 15 seasons, compiling a record of 186-143 with the Lady Pilots during that span. McCord's tenure with the Ayersville women's basketball program was highlighted by a trip to the Ohio State Final Four in 1992 and a selection as the women's basketball Coach of the Year by the Crescent-News.

Along with his accolades on the court, McCord also guided the Pilot football program for 30 years. After starting the program in 1974, McCord turned the squad into 12-time conference champions and led Ayersville to a berth in the championship game of the 1986 Ohio State Playoffs.

Prior to beginning his coaching career at Ayersville, McCord graduated from Ashland University and earned a master's degree from Bowling Green State University. McCord boasts nearly four decades of coaching experiences at the high school and collegiate ranks.

McCord will replace Dic Doumanian on the bench for the Lady Jackets, after Doumanian announced his resignation on September 8 to end his four-year tenure at the helm of the program with a 48-54 overall record. During his time with the Yellow Jackets, Doumanian saw his student-athletes earn 11 All-Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference awards.

"I would like to thank Dic Doumanian for his four years of commitment and dedication to the DC women's basketball program," added Morrison.

McCord will inherit a DC team set to return nine players from the 2010-2011 squad that posted a 10-8 clip in conference action and narrowly missed a second-straight appearance in the HCAC Tournament Semifinals.

The group will be led by rising sophomore Erica King, after the shooting guard was tabbed as the HCAC Freshman of the Year and named to the D-III News All-Freshman Team in her first campaign on the planks with the Purple and Gold. King will be joined by fellow returning starters Kim Comden and Brooke Zachrich.

McCord and the Jackets will open the 2011-2012 season on November 15, when they welcome Olivet to the Karl H. Weaner Community Center for a 7:30 pm tip.