USC Upstate head women's basketball coach Tammy George has resigned after 15 years at the school.
George led the Spartans for 15 seasons. She accumulated a 193-258 record and had five winning seasons. The 193 wins are the most of any women’s basketball coach at Upstate.
George just signed five players, two incoming freshmen and three transfers that were announced last week, days before George announced her resignation.
Assistant coach Darian Riley has been named interim head coach. A national search for the next leader of Upstate's women's basketball program is underway, according to the athletic department’s announcement.
"I am very thankful for my time at Upstate. I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of great people and student-athletes over the years. I am left with many great memories. It has been a privilege to lead the women's basketball program the past fifteen years," said George. "Tammy has served this University in a first class manner and worked tirelessly as an ambassador for the women's basketball program for fifteen years,” said Athletic Director Daniel Feig.
"She helped navigate our program through the challenging transition from Division II to Division I, and later from the ASUN to the Big South Conference, providing needed stability for over a decade,” said Feig. “Tammy has left an indelible mark on our women’s basketball program and hundreds of student-athletes, and the future is bright because of the foundation she helped build. We wish Tammy nothing but the best in the future.”
George began her tenure at Upstate in 2005-06 as a member of the Division II Peach Belt Conference. The Spartans joined the ASUN Conference in 2007-08 and just completed its second season as a member of the Big South Conference.
Signings:
Denlisha Wilson, a junior college transfer from Labette Community College in Kansas may be the star of this year’s recruiting class. She averaged 11.8 points and 4.2 rebounds per game and was named to the first team National Junior College All-America. She is the all-time leading scorer (1,609 points) at Audenried Charter School in Philadelphia. She averaged 29.1 points, eight steals, and three assists and was named Public Player of the Year and All-State Honorable Mention. Wilson is from Darby, Pa.
• Molly Coleman, junior college transfer from Gillette College, in Wyoming. The South Australia native averaged 12.3 points per game and led the team with a 60.7 field goal percentage. As a freshman she led Gillette in scoring (12 points per game), rebounds (7.5) and blocks (1.3).
• Marnicha Prudent is a junior college transfer from Indian River State College in Fort Pierce, Fla. She played in 26 games with 15 starts, averaged 4.2 minutes, 4.8 rebounds, and 4.9 points per game. Prudent is from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
• Dakota McCaughan, freshman from Seneca, Penn. (Ridley High School), lettered all four years in basketball and volleyball and was graduated in the top 10 percent of her class. McCaughan set a record for 92 threes made in a season. She averaged 15 points, five assists, and four steals per game, her senior year.
• McKinley Brooks-Sumpter, freshman, graduated A.C. Flora High School and averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 3.1 steals.