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Posted on Thu, May 17, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.

New EMU women's basketball coach Tory Verdi names three assistants

By AnnArbor.com Staff

New Eastern Michigan women’s basketball coach Tory Verdi has added three assistant coaches to his staff.

Rob Morris, an associate head coach for the men’s program at Canisius, Eastern Kentucky assistant Candice Finley and former WNBA player Kristin Haynie were hired this week, according to the university.

Tory_Verdi.jpg

Tory Verdi

Norris, 35, spent the last 11 years in various capacities at four different men's basketball programs: DePaul, Montana, Towson and Canisius. He will work with the Eagles' guards and serve as the team's defensive coordinator.

“Rob brings a wealth of knowledge of the game and a tremendous amount of experience to Eastern,” Verdi said in a statement. “I think we hit a home run with this hire. Everybody on the men's side knew of Rob's work ethic and passion for the game.”

Finley, 33, is a Detroit native who coached at Romulus High School and in Michigan AAU circles before stops as a college assistant at Southern Connecticut State and her alma mater, Eastern Kentucky. She was a three-year starter for the Lady Colonels, recording more than 1,000 points and 500 rebounds.

She’ll work with post players and serve as the team’s recruiting coordinator.

“(Finley) brings an unbelievable amount of energy to our staff and I know she will immediately make an impact in the state in regards to recruiting,” Verdi said in a statement. “Her connections and ties to the state will open so many doors for Eastern.”

Haynie, 28, helped Michigan State reach the 2005 NCAA championship game, spent five seasons in the WNBA and played professionally in Lithuania, Russia, Greece and Italy.

The EMU job is her first coaching position.

“Having one of the few players to ever play in the NCAA Final Four and in the WNBA Championship will make an unbelievable impact in player development for Eastern,” Verdi said in a statement. “Our guards should be so excited to get the opportunity to work with Kristin on a daily basis. Her experience alone should make any guard in the state of Michigan or surrounding states, want to come to Eastern.”

Verdi was named the EMU head coach in late April, replacing AnnMarie Gilbert.

Comments

sellers

Fri, May 18, 2012 : 11:05 a.m.

Norris or Morris? ΒΆ3