After being named an assistant coach for the Mansfield University women's basketball team earlier this month, Alison Tagliaferri was named the interim head coach on Monday evening after it was announced that former coach Ruth Hermansen would be stepping down.
Hermansen will become Mansfield's Associate Director for Student Life-Student Retention. She was the head coach since 1999 and compiled a record of 113-233 record including bringing Mansfield to its program's first two PSAC playoff berths in 2006 and 2007.
Mansfield went 10-16 last season.
This will be Tagliaferri's first head coaching position since she was the head coach at Penn College from 2007-10. Tagliaferri posted a 43-34 overall record with the Wildcats, including coaching them to three PSUAC Elite Eight playoff appearances. She also was an assistant coach at both Eastern and West Chester.
"The University is confident that interim coach Tagliaferri, along with our returning players and six incoming recruits, will be steadfast in their dedication and preparation for the upcoming season," Mansfield University Vice President of Student Affairs Dr. James Parker said in a statement.
Mansfield hopes to have a permanent replacement by the start of preseason practice on October 15.
Tagliaferri was a four-year First Team All-PSAC East selection at Mansfield, is the Mountaineers all-time leading scorer with 1,795 points and was named 2006 PSAC East Player of the Year.
Tagliaferri, a Jersey Shore High School graduate, played professional basketball in Portugal after she graduated from Mansfield.
