Mary Grimes named new women’s basketball coach at Le Moyne

Mary Grimes

Mary Grimes has been named the new women's basketball coach at Le Moyne.Stephen Cannerelli

Syracuse, N.Y. — Mary Grimes, a former assistant at Le Moyne and at Syracuse under Quentin Hillsman, is the new women’s basketball coach for the Dolphins.

The school announced the hire Tuesday. Grimes, the school’s first Black head coach in its athletics history, will be formally introduced at a news conference Thursday afternoon.

“Mary is a tremendous choice to lead our women’s basketball team and I am proud to welcome her as the first African-American to serve as a head coach at the College,” Le Moyne President Linda M. LeMura said in a statement.

“Her familiarity with Le Moyne and its basketball program, along with her commitment to Jesuit education through her previous time here and at Xavier, will provide a solid foundation for Mary. She was selected from among several outstanding candidates and I’d like to express my appreciation for everyone who was involved with the search process.”

Grimes replaces Gina Castelli, who retired this spring after seven seasons with the Dolphins. Grimes played for Castelli at Siena, then served as an assistant under her from 2017-19 at Le Moyne.

In 2018-19, the Dolphins won their first conference regular season and tournament titles, advancing to the regional championship game for the first time in program history.

Grimes also worked under former Le Moyne coach Jeanne Dupree from 2003-05. Grimes then spent five seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator under Hillsman at Syracuse before leaving for Albany.

“Mary is a rising star in college women’s basketball,” Hillsman said in a statement. “She has the ability to recruit and relate to student athletes at a high level. Her knowledge of the game and work ethic will make her successful.”

Mary Grimes

Syracuse University’s (L-R) Tasha Harris and assistant coach Mary McKissack-Grimes chat after practice with assistant coach Rick Moody (R) at the Carrier Dome.Stephen Cannerelli

Grimes most recently spent two seasons as an assistant at Xavier.

This is her first head-coaching job.

“Becoming a head coach has been a dream of mine and I am incredibly excited to be named the head coach for women’s basketball at Le Moyne College,” Grimes said in a statement.

“Le Moyne is a special place with special people and I’m so grateful for this opportunity. “I’d like to thank Dr. LeMura, Bob Beretta, the search committee and everyone involved in the hiring process.

“There is a great foundation of success here and I’m eager to get to work and take the program to new heights.”

As a player at Siena, Grimes scored 770 points, grabbed 288 rebounds, assisted on 220 baskets and posted 123 steals. Siena won three MAAC regular-season championships during her career and earned a bid to the NCAA tournament in 2001.

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