April 12, 2010

Metro State’s Lappe Named Head Coach at University of Colorado

DENVER, Colo. - Metro State head women’s basketball coach Linda Lappe stepped down on Monday to accept the head coaching job at the University of Colorado. Lappe will be the seventh coach in CU women’s basketball history and will take over for Kathy McConnell-Miller, who compiled a record of 65-88 (.425) in five years for the Buffaloes. She becomes the youngest head women’s basketball coach at a BCS conference school and the third-youngest overall at age 30.

Lappe just finished her third season as the head coach at Metro State, where she went 50-36 (.581). She ranks fourth all-time at Metro State in wins and third in winning percentage. The Roadrunners qualified for the RMAC Shootout each of Lappe’s three seasons and also finished in the top-three in the RMAC East Division each year.

“It’s really bittersweet for us,” Metro State athletic director Joan McDermott said. “She will really be missed by us at Metro State, but this is certainly the opportunity of a lifetime to be able to coach at her alma mater. We’re really happy for her. She has all of the pieces to be a very successful coach at the Division I level.”

“I would like to thank Joan McDermott and Metro State,” Lappe said in a press conference Monday morning. “The last three years have been amazing. Leaving yesterday and talking to our players was extremely difficult and it’s something that you never want to do. The support I’ve had from Metro State, the experiences that I’ve had and the mentorship that Joan McDermott has given me has really prepared me for this opportunity and to be in this position. The people of Metro State are awesome.”

University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement, “We were searching for a head coach with impeccable character, exemplary work ethic, a competitive drive and commitment to teaching fundamentals. Our committee found Coach Lappe outstanding in all those categories and to top it off, she’s a Buff, making her a perfect fit for our program. She comes to us as a disciplined and focused coach with high energy and a passion for Colorado basketball. Coach Lappe will be an outstanding representative of this institution and our community.”

Lappe played four seasons for the Buffaloes and was twice named honorable mention All-Big 12. She led CU to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2001-03, including an Elite Eight finish in 2002 and a Sweet 16 showing in 2003. Lappe was a two-year team captain and a three-time Academic All-Big 12 selection, averaging 8.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists as a senior in 2002-03. She graduated from the University of Colorado in December, 2002, with a bachelor’s degree in business administration.

This past season, Lappe coached the Roadrunners to a 17-12 overall record, including 11-8 in the RMAC for a third place finish in the East Division, despite a young starting lineup that included three freshmen after the team’s two post players were dismissed from the team in early December. One of those freshmen, Kristin Valencia, was named to the All-East Division first team and was the East Division Defensive Player of the Year. Lappe’s Roadrunners ranked third in the RMAC in scoring defense, turnover margin and steals during the conference season. Metro State put together a five-game winning streak entering the RMAC Shootout semifinals, where it fell to Fort Lewis, narrowly missing the school’s fifth NCAA Tournament appearance. Lappe’s signature win came this past season when Metro State gave then-third-ranked Fort Lewis, the season’s national runner-up, one of its four losses on the year, defeating the Skyhawks 75-65 on Dec. 5.

Lappe’s 2008-09 team was also young, with just one senior on its roster after losing two starters to season-ending injuries during the preseason. The Roadrunners managed to finish the year 14-14 overall and 12-7 in the RMAC as they fell to eventual RMAC Shootout champion Colorado State-Pueblo in the tournament quarterfinals.

During Lappe’s first season in 2007-08, the Roadrunners posted a 19-10 overall record, finished second in the East Division and qualified for the conference tournament. Metro State put together a nine-game winning streak during the season and ranked third in the RMAC in scoring defense.

Prior to her time at Metro State, she served the 2006-07 season as an assistant coach at Colorado State University and spent three years as an assistant at Drake Unviersity.

“We really caught a glimpse of what kind of a program she has developed this season and we look forward to our next coach building off what she started. Linda brought in, not only excellent athletes, but great students and exceptional people off the court as well. I’m really proud her team’s efforts in the classroom and in the community of Denver.

McDermott said Metro State will begin the search for its next coach immediately.