Saint Louis University Director of Athletics Chris May announced today that SLU is moving forward with a coaching change in its women’s basketball program. The decision comes after an in-depth, postseason review of the program.
“Lisa Stone did an exemplary job of building our program to a high level of respectability,” May said. “I thank Lisa for her tireless efforts in working to serve our program.
“Women’s basketball is a critically important program at SLU,” May said. “Our goal is to play in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship regularly. This is a great job in women’s college basketball, and our program is well positioned for sustainable, long-term success with Chaifetz Arena and, in the very near future, the O’Loughlin Family Champions Center. We have begun a national search focused on a group of highly successful professionals in college basketball.”
Stone is one of the most accomplished coaches in SLU women’s basketball history. In 10 seasons at SLU, she amassed a 164-138 record. She has a 36-year head coaching record of 667-375 and ranked 14th in wins among active NCAA Division I head coaches prior to this season. Stone’s six winning seasons and four postseason appearances at SLU are the most by a Billiken women’s basketball coach.
“I would like to thank University President Dr. Fred Pestello and Chris May for affording me the opportunity to lead young women at Saint Louis University as the head women’s basketball coach for 10 years,” Stone said. “It has been both a joy and a privilege to build the program to new heights and respectability nationwide.
“I will be forever grateful for the players and staff I have been blessed to work with over the last 10 years,” Stone said. “I am most thankful for my family and their unbelievable love and support. I look forward to spending more time with them as I look forward to my next chapter. I will be considering opportunities both in and out of basketball.”
There is no timeline on the announcement of the eighth head coach in SLU women’s basketball history. Also, there will be no further comment from SLU on the search process or the candidates involved.
