The Minnesota Gophers have hired their new head women's basketball coach and she is a very familiar face to the University.

Former Gopher's star Lindsay Whalen has been named the new head coach.

Whalen is a Minnesota native from Hutchinson, MN and starred at Minnesota including a trip to the Final Four in 2004.

She has been playing professionally in Minnesota the last seven seasons with the Lynx and helped them capture 4 WNBA titles.

Whalen may end up helping the Lynx to another title as well, considering she isn't going to stop playing either.

She issued a statement today as well.

“I would like to thank Coach Reeve and the Lynx organization for their support during this process. As I started this process with the University of Minnesota, it was important to me that I returned to the Lynx this season. I’m very excited about our upcoming season and I look forward to returning to a renovated Target Center and playing in front of our great fans,”

When you talk to basketball people, Whalen is certainly considered to have a high basketball IQ and all the experience and familiarity with the University of Minnesota that she should thrive in this role.


 

 

More From KSOO-AM / ESPN Sioux Falls