Randall Adds Brown, Hewitt to Women's Basketball Staff

ATHENS, Ohio - Ohio head women's basketball coach Semeka Randall has announced the hiring of Willis Brown and Karen Hewitt as assistant coaches for the Bobcats, effective immediately.

"I am thrilled to have Willis and Karen join our basketball family," said Randall. "They bring much energy and passion to the game and are valuable additions to our staff."

Brown, an Ohio native, brings 13 years of coaching experience to Athens. During the 2006-07 season, Brown served as the first-ever head coach for the Myers University men's basketball program. Prior to that, Brown was an assistant coach at Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea, Ohio. In Brown's two years there, the Yellow Jackets compiled a 38-17 record and reached the NCAA Tournament after capturing the Ohio Athletic Conference title in 2005.

Before coaching at Baldwin-Wallace, Brown spent eight seasons at Lakeland Community College in Mentor, Ohio, serving as the head coach from 1999-03 and an assistant coach from 1995-99. As head coach, Brown collected 61 victories, while four players were named Ohio Community College Athletic Conference MVP, four named first-team All-OCCAC, three named Academic All-OCCAC, two named NJCAA All-American, one named NJCAA Academic All-American, and four selected to the All-Region XII Team.

Brown was a four-year letterwinner at Baldwin-Wallace from 1990-94. He was selected All-OAC and served as a team captain as both a junior and senior. The sport management major was the 1994 Cleveland Cavaliers Lenny Wilkens Award recipient. Brown is a graduate of Kenston High School and grew up in Chagrin Falls Park, Ohio.

"Willis is one of the hardest workers I know," said Randall. "As a former head coach, he brings a great deal of knowledge and experience to our staff. He will work with the post players, and will be heavily involved with player development, scouting and practice preparation."

Hewitt is from Cincinnati and led the Mount Notre Dame High School girls basketball team to a state championship in 2008 after serving as the associate head coach for a year. Prior to that, Hewitt was an assistant coach at St. Francis University (Pa.) for three years. She also played college basketball at St. Francis from 2000-04.

As a coach at St. Francis, Hewitt acted as the recruiting coordinator, community liaison, and camp coordinator, in addition to fundraising and coaching duties. As a player, Hewitt helped lead the Red Flash to three Northeast Conference Tournament Titles. She also earned regional academic All-American status and was awarded a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship as a senior. She holds program records for assists in a game (16), season (202), and career (574). Hewitt has also participated in the NCAA Leadership Conference two times, including as a player and a coach.

"Karen is well known throughout the Ohio area and helped Mount Notre Dame High School three-peat as state champions this past season," said Randall. "I think she will be able to relate to the players and give them valuable pointers, in addition to sharing her experiences as a player. Her responsibilities will include recruiting, working with the guards, and academic services."

The Bobcats wrapped up the 2007-08 season with the most wins in 13 years, six new all-time records, and an historic run in the MAC Tournament, including defending reigning champ Bowling Green in the semifinals and playing in the MAC championship game for the first time since 1986.