Mechan Vanderpool Named Women’s Basketball Head Coach

MONTEVALLO, Ala. – University of Montevallo Athletic Director Jim Herlihy announced Thursday the hiring of Mechan Vanderpool as the thirteenth head women's basketball coach in program history.

"We are excited to welcome Mechan to the University of Montevallo to lead our women's basketball program," said Herlihy. "Her experience and success in Division II basketball and ability to connect with the community will have an incredible impact on our student-athletes. She is a proven winner and a great fit for our athletic program."

Vanderpool comes to Montevallo after spending the previous four seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Delta State University. Prior to her time at DSU she spent two seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Mississippi College and two seasons as graduate assistant coach at Delta State University.

"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be the women's basketball head coach at the University of Montevallo," said Vanderpool. "This program is well on its way to becoming a strong Division II women's basketball program. I am honored to be able to coach a great group of young women and to work in a great environment with a group of wonderful and supportive peers. I see great things for this program and I am confident in my team and my staff's ability to get where we need to be. I look forward to the future and my time at Montevallo."

Vanderpool helped guide the Lady Statesmen to a 108-16 record during her four seasons as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. The Lady Statesmen were four-time Gulf South Conference regular season Champions and three time GSC Tournament Champions. She helped guide them to back-to-back Final Fours in 2008 and 2009. This past season they advanced to the Sweet Sixteen with a NCAA South Region Championship game appearance.

On the recruiting path she picked up commitments from the 2007 Mississippi High School Player of the Year, four Mississippi High School Dandy Dozen selections and six Mississippi All-State selections. She helped recruit Jennifer Rushing who went on to win the Peggie Gillom Award which is given to the best collegiate female basketball player in the state of Mississippi.

She helped recruit a two-time All-American, a two-time Honorable Mention All-American, a one-time Honorable Mention All-American and a Daktronics All-American selection. She helped lead four players to All-Region Team selections and three players who led the NCAA in assists, three pointers and field goal percentage, respectively.

At Mississippi College she helped lead them to a 35-16 record during her two seasons as assistant coach. In 2005 they advanced to the American Southwest Conference (ASC) Tournament and in 2006 the team won the ASC Championship. She helped coach four ASC All-Conference Players including the ASC Newcomer of the Year and ASC Defensive Player of the Year.

In her previous stint at DSU the Lady Statesmen went 41-17 with one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2003 and a trip to the GSC Tournament in 2002.

Vanderpool is a 2002 graduate of Henderson State University where she competed on the Reddie softball team. She graduated with a bachelor of science in education and physical education for grades K-12. In 2004, she received her master of science in health, physical education and recreation from Delta State University.

Vanderpool is a native of Bryant, Ark. and will begin her duties as head coach at Montevallo late next week.