Henrickson named Kansas women's basketball coach

New Kansas Women's Basketball Coach Bonnie Henrickson addressed the media at a press conference announcing her hiring. Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC

Bonnie Henrickson, head women's basketball coach at Virginia Tech for the past seven years, has been named the fifth head women's basketball coach at the University of Kansas.

She replaces legendary coach Marian E. Washington, who announced her retirement last month after serving 31 years as head coach of the Jayhawks.

Henrickson has agreed to a five-year contract with a base salary of $130,000 per year. Income from media and apparel contracts will raise the value of her compensation to approximately $530,000.

"I have watched Bonnie's teams for several years," KU Director of Athletics Lew Perkins said. "I have always been impressed with the way they play and the way they carry themselves. I talked to many of the top people in women's basketball, and Bonnie's name was at the top of everyone's list."

Henrickson arrives in Lawrence after guiding the Hokies to a record of 158-62 and seven postseason appearances in seven years. Under her guidance, Virginia Tech reached the NCAA tournament five times and the WNIT twice, and won 20 or more games every season.

This past season Henrickson led the Hokies to a 23-8 overall record, including a 10-6 mark in the Big East, which placed eight teams in the NCAA Tournament. Virginia Tech advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament for the second straight year before bowing out to No. 5 Penn State.

"Bonnie has established herself as one of the most successful young coaches in the country," KU Chancellor Robert Hemenway said. "Our women's basketball program is very important to us, and we are confident that we are placing the future of our program in very good hands."

When Henrickson took over at Virginia Tech for the 1997-98 season, she orchestrated the biggest turnaround in school history. She guided her team to a 22-10 record, the school's first Atlantic 10 Conference title and an NCAA second-round appearance just one season after the Hokies had finished last in the Atlantic 10 Conference with a 10-21 record.

Henrickson, who brings 16 years of coaching experience, has helped guide teams to postseason play for 11 straight years. After serving as assistant coach for the Hokies from 1988 to '93, Henrickson was elevated to associate head coach in the 1993-94 season. That year, Virginia Tech improved its record to 24-6 and made its first-ever NCAA appearance. The following season Tech recorded its first-ever NCAA tournament win.

Bonnie Henrickson accepted a new KU jacket from Director of Athletics Lew Perkins after accepting Perkins' offer to become the new Kansas women's basketball coach. Jeff Jacobsen/KUAC

Henrickson took her talents to the University of Iowa to serve as an assistant coach in 1995-96. Her two-year stint at Iowa produced a Sweet 16 appearance in 1996 and two Big 10 Conference Championships. In her two years, Iowa was 45-14.

In July 2000, she was the head coach of the women's USA Basketball team that traveled to Taiwan for the R. William Jones Cup competition. This appointment marked her second stint with a USA Basketball team; she also served as an assistant coach on the Team USA squad that won the silver medal at the 1999 World University Games.

Her 1998-99 Hokies posted a school-best 28-3 record, including a 15-1 conference record and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16. For her efforts, Henrickson was named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year. She also was a finalist for national coach of the year honors.

During her first stint at Tech, Henrickson was credited with recruiting some of the Hokies' biggest stars, including All-American Lisa Witherspoon, Virginia Tech career statistical leaders Michelle Houseright and Katie O'Connor, three-time GTE Academic All-American Christi Osborne and honorable mention All-American Jenny Root, who finished her career as the Hokies' all-time leading rebounder.

Henrickson, a Willmar, Minn., native, graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1986. As a player, she helped SCSU win three Northern Sun Conference championships and advance to three NCAA Division II quarterfinals.

In her four years as a player, SCSU compiled a 97-25 overall record, including a 31-4 mark in her sophomore season. She still ranks among the school leaders in points (4th - 1,731), rebounds (3rd - 995), free throws (1st - 507) and free throw percentage (4th - .790). She also was named to the all-conference team three times.

Henrickson served as team captain her junior and senior years.
She earned her master's degree in physical education in 1988 from Western Illinois University while serving as a graduate assistant coach with the women's basketball team.

Henrickson's Career Coaching Record

Head Coaching Totals Record NCAA Appearances
At Virginia Tech (7 seasons) 158-62 (.718) 5 - 1998, 1999, 2001, 2003, 2004