When Nikki McCray-Penson was introduced as Old Dominion University's new women's basketball coach almost three years ago, she appeared to be the right person to rebuild the once mighty Monarchs.
She was personable, enthusiastic and self-confident. But the kicker was her prodigious resume.
A two-time All-American and SEC Player of the Year at Tennessee, she played professionally for 11 seasons. She was the MVP of the old American Basketball League and was a three-time All-WNBA pick.
She won Olympic Gold medals in 1996 and 2000 was Dawn Staley's top assistant coach when the Gamecocks won the 2017 NCAA title.