Head women’s basketball coach Tony Francis is pleased to announce the addition of Melanie Schmit to his coaching staff for the 2010-11 season.
“I am looking forward to the opportunity to work with Coach Francis and to be on the ground level of something special is very exciting to me,” Schmit said. “Coach Francis and I have known each other for a while and he is simply one of the best and I am very excited to be part of his staff.”
Schmit comes to Lindenwood after spending the last 20 years as a high school coach. She spent 17 years at New Haven High School and the last three years at Troy High School.
While the head coach at New Haven, Schmit helped start the women’s basketball program in 1994 and compiled an overall record of 177-69. She also led the Shamrocks to the 1A state championship in 2002, five conference titles, four district championships, and was named the 1A coach of the year in 2002.
For the past three years Schmit was the head coach at Troy High School where the Trojans went 50-32 and played in the district title game for three straight seasons. Schmit was named coach of the year by the Lincoln County Journal.
Two of Schmit’s former players are now playing Division I basketball. Kathleen Scheer plays at Duke University and Maggie Flynn plays at the University of Missouri.
At Lindenwood, Schmit will be in charge of the Lady Lions recruiting efforts, scouting and game preparations.
“I am honored that Melanie has chosen to be a member of our family,” Francis said. “I have always been impressed with her work ethic, intensity for the game and most importantly her passion for educating young people.”