Former women’s basketball head coach Jennifer Rizzotti was named president of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun Tuesday, according to a press release from the Connecticut Sun.
Rizzotti, who was fired from her post with GW in March, will be responsible for the business operations and marketing strategies of the team, the release states. A press conference will be held next Tuesday to officially introduce Rizzotti, according to the release.
“This league employs the very best women’s basketball players in the world,” Rizzotti said in the release. “But more importantly, the WNBA is an inclusive and diverse community of women that inspire, lead and in their own words, provide a voice for the voiceless. I am proud to have won two championships as a player in the WNBA and will work tirelessly to help bring a championship to the Sun franchise.”
Rizzotti helmed the Colonials for five seasons beginning in 2016, notching the seventh A-10 title in Colonial history and an NCAA Tournament appearance in her second season as head coach. She holds a 72-74 overall career record with the Colonials.
In her last three years as head coach, Rizzotti logged sub-.500 seasons, combining for a 33-50 overall record and a 20-26 conference record.
Prior to her tenure at GW, Rizzotti served as the head coach at Hartford for 17 years, compiling a .594 winning percentage with the Hawks, and accumulating five conference championships and six NCAA tournament appearances. She was distinguished as the all-time winningest coach in America East conference history.
She was named the U.S. Women’s National Team assistant coach for the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Tokyo on June 20, 2019.
The Connecticut Sun Board of Governors Representative and Recording Secretary for the Mohegan Tribal Council Kathy Regan-Pyne said in the press release they were “thrilled” to have a “powerhouse” like Rizzotti leading the team. She said Rizzotti’s passion, talent and expertise would make her a natural fit with the organization.
As a player, Rizzotti started at point guard for Connecticut’s first National Championship team in 1995, leading the team to an undefeated 35-0 record. She graduated from the program as the career leader in assists and steals, tallying 637 and 349, respectively.
In her five seasons in the WNBA, she won two championships and recorded 458 points, 264 assists and 349 steals. She was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 alongside Connecticut legends Coach Geno Auriemma, inducted in 2006, and Rebecca Lobo, inducted in 2010.
“The Connecticut Sun has had so many great seasons, and incredible athletes, coaches and leaders throughout their impactful history here at Mohegan Sun,” President and General Manager of the Mohegan Sun Jeff Hamilton said in the press release. “Mohegan Sun is honored to have Jennifer Rizzotti joining our executive team, and we’re incredibly excited about the future of the Connecticut Sun under her vision.”
