Jolette Law to be Named Illinois Head Coach
May 11 | Women's Basketball
Piscataway, N.J. - Rutgers University associate head women's basketball coach Jolette Law has resigned to become head coach at the University of Illinois.
Law arrived 'On the Banks' in 1995 as an assistant for head coach C. Vivian Stringer. She was promoted to associate head coach in 2003. During her 12 seasons, Law helped produce 22 all-BIG EAST honorees and seven All-America selections.
"Jolette is ready. I always felt she deserved nothing more than being (a head coach) at one of the best schools, in one of the most prominent of conferences. And now, she is," Stringer said. "I believe her wisdom, enthusiasm and technical expertise is unparalleled. It's a day I have dreaded - although no mother, no coach could be prouder than I am to see one of their own take the next step."
The 39-year old Law is the second consecutive coach from Rutgers to lead the Illini. Theresa Grentz was the Rutgers head coach for 19 years before departing for Illinois in 1995, where she served as head coach for 12 seasons. Stringer succeeded Grentz at Rutgers.
"This is a dream come true, a great opportunity I have been given," Law said on Thursday when departing Piscataway for Champaign. "It is bittersweet - sweet because I am going to start my own but bitter because I am leaving a program which I helped jump-start and build. I will miss the staff, Coach Stringer, the kids, and the relationships I have built over the years. It is time, however, for me to step out of the nest, spread my wings and fly."
Rutgers advanced to the NCAA National Championship Game this season for the first time in school history. The Scarlet Knights finished the season with a 27-9 record, the No. 2 national ranking and won their first BIG EAST tournament crown.
