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 Joe McKeown, winningest coach in GW and Atlantic 10 history, accepted the head women's basketball coaching position at Northwestern Monday. A national search for his replacement will begin immediately. |
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McKeown Resigns to Accept Head Coaching Position at Northwestern
June 9, 2008
WASHINGTON, DC - Joe McKeown, head women's basketball coach at George Washington for the past 19 seasons, has accepted the same position at Northwestern University, it was announced by GW Director of Athletics Jack Kvancz and in a press conference in Evanston, IL, Monday. McKeown led the Colonials to 15 NCAA Tournaments, including a regional final (Elite Eight) appearance in 1997 and three regional semifinals (Sweet 16), and 441 victories during his tenure.
"We are grateful to Joe McKeown for 19 extraordinary years at the helm of our women's basketball program," said GW President Steven Knapp. "His dedication to the academic as well as athletic success of his players is legendary, and no one has done more to build the national athletic reputation of the George Washington University. He will be deeply missed, and we wish him all the best, both personally and professionally."
"Joe has set a remarkable standard for coaching at GW as evidenced by his 509 career wins, four Atlantic 10 Championships, 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, three Sweet 16's and the Elite Eight in 1997," said GW Senior Vice President for Student and Academic Support Services Robert A. Chernak. "I wish him nothing but the most success at Northwestern."
The winningest coach in University and Atlantic 10 Conference history, McKeown transformed GW into a perennial NCAA Tournament qualifier shortly after his hiring in 1989. Following a 14-14 mark in his first season in 1989-90, McKeown guided the Colonials to 20-or-more victories and postseason appearances in 17 of the next 18 seasons. He directed four A-10 Championship teams (2003, 1996, 1995, 1992) and was named the conference's Coach of the Year five times 2007, 2002, 2000, 1997, 1991) and twice was named a national Coach of the Year nominee (1997, 1995).
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McKeown and GW enjoyed unprecedented success recently, combining for a school-record 55 victories and a Top 25 national ranking in the ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll for 40 consecutive weeks during the past two seasons.
"Coach McKeown has done an outstanding job with our women's basketball program," said Kvancz. "We were fortunate to have young women representing GW who are true student-athletes. The 19 years he spent at GW were great. He also has become a friend and I wish Joe, and his family nothing but the best."
While at GW, McKeown coached a total of 51 all-conference performers, including six A-10 Players of the Year, seven All-America selections and four future WNBA players. McKeown's program also produced 18 Academic All-Conference honorees, three Academic All-Americans and four NCAA Woman of the Year candidates.
McKeown has totaled 509 victories with a 74.5 winning percentage in 22 seasons of coaching at GW (441-174) and New Mexico State (68-20). The 509 victories rank 21st among active coaches, while his 74.5 career winning percentage is 12th all-time.
A national search for McKeown's replacement will begin immediately.
Joe McKeown Year-by-Year at George Washington
1989-90 George Washington 14-14 .500 Five-game improvement (GW was 9-19 in 1988-89) 1990-91 George Washington 23-7 .767 NCAA Tournament/No. 24 AP 1991-92 George Washington 25-7 .800 Atlantic 10 Champions/NCAA Tournament/No. 6 AP 1992-93 George Washington 20-11 .645 Second place in A-10/WNIT/No. 11 AP 1993-94 George Washington 23-8 .742 A-10 Regular Season Co-Champs/NCAA Tourn./No. 18 AP 1994-95 George Washington 26-6 .813 A-10 Champions/NCAA Sweet 16/No. 15 CNN/USA Today 1995-96 George Washington 26-7 .806 A-10 Champions/NCAA Tournament 1996-97 George Washington 28-6 .824 A-10 Regular Season Champs/NCAA Elite Eight/No. 10 1997-98 George Washington 20-10 .667 A-10 Regular Season Champions/NCAA Tournament 1998-99 George Washington 19-9 .679 Second place in A-10 West Division/No. 13 AP 1999-00 George Washington 26-6 .813 A-10 Regular Season West Division Champs/NCAA Tourn. 2000-01 George Washington 22-10 .688 Second place in A-10 West Division/NCAA Tournament 2001-02 George Washington 21-9 .700 A-10 Regular Season West Div. Champs/WNIT 2nd Rd. 2002-03 George Washington 25-7 .781 A-10 Champions/NCAA Tournament Second Round 2003-04 George Washington 22-8 .733 A-10 Regular Season West Division Champs/NCAA Tourn. 2004-05 George Washington 23-9 .719 A-10 Regular Season West Div. Co-Champs/NCAA Tourn. 2005-06 George Washington 23-9 .719 A-10 Regular Season Co-Champs/NCAA Tournament/No. 25 2006-07 George Washington 28-4 .875 A-10 Regular Season Champs/NCAA Sweet 16/No. 11 2007-08 George Washington 27-7 .794 A-10 Regular Season Co-Champs/NCAA Sweet 16/No. 14at GW: 19 seasons 441-154 .741 15 NCAA Tournaments / Winningest Coach in GW, A-10 TOTAL: 22 seasons 509-174 .745 17 NCAA Tournaments / 19 20-Victory Seasons