BOSTON, Mass. – Kelly Cole, a veteran women's basketball coach with nearly 20 years' experience at the Division I level, has been named the head coach at Wentworth Institute of Technology. Director of Athletics Cheryl Aaron made the announcement.
"We are super excited for a coach with Kelly's resume to be joining our team at Wentworth," said Aaron. "Kelly's vibrant personality, commitment to the student-athlete experience, and basketball intellect will quickly be felt by the women's basketball team, the athletic department and the Wentworth community."
Cole comes to Wentworth most recently from the University of California Berekley, where she served as an assistant coach last season. While on staff, she helped the Bears improved their record from 1-16 in 2020-21 to 12-13 in 2021-22. She coached the Pac 12's leading scorer and freshman of the year, Jayda Curry.
Spending seven seasons as the Head Women's Basketball Coach at neighboring Northeastern University, Cole won 87 games, which ranks her third – one win less than second – on the Huskies' career victory list. While during her first season Northeastern won just four games, the program had double-digit wins in each of the next five seasons, including posting a 36-27 (.571) mark from 2017-19. The 2017-18 campaign saw the Huskies finish 16-15 and make its first-ever appearance in the WBI, ending a 19-year drought in national postseason appearances. A season later, they finished 20-12 – the program's third-highest win total in program history – and made an appearance in the WNIT. That squad also posted the program's best-ever start and longest win streak (10). In each of her seven seasons, Northeastern appeared in the CAA Tournament, reaching the semifinals in 2016 and 2019. Cole developed five All-CAA selections and three student-athletes who went on to play professionally.
Cole spent time as an assistant coach at Northwestern (1995-97), Boston College (1997-06), and Harvard (2012-14). While at Northwestern she helped the Wildcats to postseason appearances in each of her two seasons, including a trip to the 1997 NCAA Tournament. During her time at Boston College (assistant coach 1997-04; associate head coach 2004-06), she was part of a program that had a 192-89 record, won the Big East Championship in 2004, and made seven trips to the NCAA Tournament, including advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in 2003, 2004, and 2006). At Harvard, she helped the Crimson to a 43-17 record, which included back-to-back WNIT appearances in 2013 and 2014. At each of her collegiate stops, she helped recruit classes ranked in the Top 25 nationally.
In addition to her experience at the Division I level, Cole served as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Gann Academy in Waltham, Mass., and as the Head Girls Basketball Coach at Buckingham, Brown & Nichols in Cambridge, Mass.
Cole is a 1991 graduate of Northwestern, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and English. She was a four-year member of the Wildcats' women's basketball team, serving as a two-year captain and scoring 1,206 points during her career. Twice she was named Honorable Mention All-Big Ten.
"I am thrilled about the opportunity to be coaching again in the great city of Boston," said Cole. "I am passionate about teaching and developing student-athletes and I am excited to grow the success of Wentworth women's basketball and be a member of the Wentworth community."
For the latest on Wentworth Athletics, follow the Leopards via social media on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Fans can also download the Wentworth Leopards "Front Row" mobile app, powered by PrestoSports, on iTunes and the Android Market.
February 23, 2023
Busbey, Amoddio Named to Academic All-District Team
February 18, 2023
Women's Basketball Caps Season on Road Against Curry
February 15, 2023
Gordon Outscores Women's Basketball in Low-Scoring Affair
February 11, 2023
Women's Basketball Falls to Roger Williams on Senior Day
February 7, 2023
Three from Women's Basketball Tally Double-Doubles Against Nichols
February 6, 2023
Pierce, Foster Named Leopards of the Week
February 4, 2023
Women's Basketball Battles Endicott Behind Foster's 18 Points
February 1, 2023
Fast Start Shoots UNE Over Women's Basketball
January 28, 2023
Suffolk Pushes Past Women's Basketball
January 24, 2023
Women's Basketball Falls to Western New England
January 21, 2023
Salve Regina Tops Women's Basketball
January 18, 2023
Roger Williams Troubles Women's Basketball
January 10, 2023
Nor'Easters Run Away From Women's Basketball
January 9, 2023
Shankar, Carroll Named Leopards of the Week
January 7, 2023
Defense Prevails as Endicott Tops Women's Basketball
January 5, 2023
Gordon Rallies Past Women's Basketball
January 3, 2023
Suffolk Hangs On Over Women's Basketball
December 19, 2022
Dolabany, Busbey Named Leopards of the Week
December 14, 2022
Women's Basketball Closes out First Semester at Eastern Nazarene
December 10, 2022
Women's Basketball Locks Down Trailblazers in Home Triumph
December 6, 2022
Western New England Tops Women's Basketball
December 5, 2022
Lowe, Amoddio Named Leopards of the Week
December 3, 2022
Women's Basketball Falls Short to Salve Regina
November 30, 2022
Curry Defeats Women's Basketball in First CCC Action
November 19, 2022
Women's Basketball Topped by Rensselaer
November 17, 2022
Women's Basketball Outlasts Anna Maria
November 15, 2022
Women's Basketball Scoops Up First Win in Home Opener
November 14, 2022
Stewart, Foster Named Leopards of the Week
November 8, 2022
Women's Basketball Battles Emerson in Season Opener
August 25, 2022
Cole Tabbed to Lead Women's Basketball Program