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{{short description|American women's basketball coach|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Short description|American women's basketball coach (1951–2020)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2024}}
{{Infobox college coach
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Nancy Darsch
| name = Nancy Darsch
Line 7: Line 8:
| birth_place = [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]]
| birth_place = [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|2|1951|12|29}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2020|11|2|1951|12|29}}
| death_place =
| death_place = Plymouth, Massachusetts
| alma_mater = {{Plainlist|
*[[Springfield College (Massachusetts)|Springfield College]]
*[[University of Tennessee]]
}}
| player_years1 =
| player_years1 =
| player_team1 =
| player_team1 =
| player_positions =
| player_positions =
| coach_years1 =
| coach_years1 = 1978–1985
| coach_team1 = [[Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball|Tennessee]] (assistant)
| coach_team1 =
| coach_years2 = 1985–1997
| coach_team2 = [[Ohio State Buckeyes women's basketball|Ohio State]]
| coach_years3 = 1997–1998
| coach_team3 = [[New York Liberty]]
| coach_years4 = 1999–2000
| coach_team4 = [[Washington Mystics]]
| coach_years5 = 2003–2005
| coach_team5 = [[Minnesota Lynx]] (assistant)
| coach_years6 = 2006–2008
| coach_team6 = [[Boston College Eagles women's basketball|Boston College]] (assistant)
| coach_years7 = 2008–2013
| coach_team7 = [[Seattle Storm]] (assistant)
| championships =
[[WNBA Finals|WNBA Champion]] (2010)
| awards =
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}
| medaltemplates = {{Medal|Country|{{USA}}}}
{{MedalSport | Women’s [[Basketball]]}}
{{MedalSport | Women’s [[Basketball]]}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[United States women's national basketball team|1996 Atlanta]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalGold|[[United States women's national basketball team|1996 Atlanta]] | [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's tournament|Team Competition]]}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA World Championship for Women]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[FIBA World Championship for Women]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[United States women's national basketball team|1994 Sydney]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalBronze|[[United States women's national basketball team|1994 Sydney]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[Goodwill Games|1994 St. Petersburg]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalGold|[[Goodwill Games|1994 St. Petersburg]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World University Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World University Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women’s World University Games Team|1991 Sheffield]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women’s World University Games Team|1991 Sheffield]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[William Jones Cup]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[William Jones Cup]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|1984 Taipei]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalGold|[[USA Women's R. William Jones Cup Team|1984 Taipei]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalSport|Assistant Coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalSport|Assistant coach for {{USA}} }}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[United States women's national basketball team|1984 Los Angeles]] | Team Competition}}
{{MedalGold|[[United States women's national basketball team|1984 Los Angeles]] | Team Competition}}
}}
}}


'''Nancy Darsch''' (December 29, 1951 – November 2, 2020) was an American women's basketball coach who worked at both the professional and Division I college levels. A native of [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]], Darsch was a 1973 graduate of [[Springfield College (Massachusetts)|Springfield College]]. She also earned a master's degree in physical education from the [[University of Tennessee]]. Darsch was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame on September 25, 2014.<ref>Ohio State website http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/w-baskbl/spec-rel/100314aaa.html</ref>
'''Nancy Darsch''' (December 29, 1951 – November 2, 2020) was an American women's [[basketball]] coach who worked at both the professional and [[NCAA Division I]] college levels. A native of [[Plymouth, Massachusetts]], Darsch was a 1973 graduate of [[Springfield College (Massachusetts)|Springfield College]]. She also earned a master's degree in physical education from the [[University of Tennessee]]. Darsch was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame on September 25, 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 3, 2014 |title=Nancy Darsch — Hall Of Fame Weekend Recap |url=https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/nancy-darsch-hall-of-fame-weekend-recap/ |access-date=April 9, 2022 |website=Ohio State Buckeyes |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Early career and college basketball==
==Early career and college basketball==
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==Olympics==
==Olympics==

Since 1984 Darsch has been part of [[USA Basketball]]. As an assistant coach for the USA Women’s Olympic Basketball team she won [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medals in both the [[Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984]] (Los Angeles) and [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996]] (Atlanta) Olympic Games.<ref>USA Basketball History, Women's Asst. Coaches {{cite web |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/history/all_time_womens_asstcoaches.html |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2012-01-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115220933/http://www.usabasketball.com/history/all_time_womens_asstcoaches.html |archivedate=2011-11-15 }}</ref>
After 1984, Darsch had been part of [[USA Basketball]]. As an assistant coach for the USA Women’s Olympic Basketball team she won [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] gold medals in both the [[Basketball at the 1984 Summer Olympics|1984]] (Los Angeles) and [[Basketball at the 1996 Summer Olympics|1996]] (Atlanta) Olympic Games.<ref>USA Basketball History, Women's Asst. Coaches {{cite web |url=http://www.usabasketball.com/history/all_time_womens_asstcoaches.html |title=USA Basketball: All-Time USA Basketball Women's Teams Assistant Coaches |access-date=January 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111115220933/http://www.usabasketball.com/history/all_time_womens_asstcoaches.html |archive-date=November 15, 2011 }}</ref>


==USA Basketball==
==USA Basketball==
Darsch served as an assistant coach of the team representing the US in 1984 at the [[William Jones Cup]] competition in [[Taipei, Taiwan]]. The team chosen to represent the USA was the team expected to be selected as the national team for the Olympics. This resulted in a very strong team which was able to dominate the competition. In the opening game against Australia, the USA won 82–20. While other games were closer, Italy's 23-point loss to the USA was the closest of the eight games. The USA won all eight games, and won the gold medal. The USA team was led by [[Cheryl Miller]], who led the team in scoring at over 15 points per game, rebounding, free throw percentage, assists and steals. Miller was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with [[Lynette Woodard]], and [[Denise Curry]].<ref name="1984 JONES CUP"/>
Darsch served as an assistant coach of the team representing the US in 1984 at the [[William Jones Cup]] competition in [[Taipei, Taiwan]]. The team chosen to represent the USA was the team expected to be selected as the national team for the Olympics. This resulted in a very strong team which was able to dominate the competition. In the opening game against Australia, the USA won 82–20. While other games were closer, Italy's 23-point loss to the USA was the closest of the eight games. The USA won all eight games, and won the gold medal. The USA team was led by [[Cheryl Miller]], who led the team in scoring at over 15 points per game, rebounding, free throw percentage, assists and steals. Miller was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with [[Lynette Woodard]], and [[Denise Curry]].<ref name="1984 JONES CUP"/>


Darsch served as the assistant coach to the team representing the US at the World University Games held in [[Sheffield, England]] in July 1991. The USA team started out with a very strong offense, scoring over 100 points in each of the first four games. The fourth game was against the USSR, a team often challenging the US for the top spot, but the USA won 106–80 this time. The team fell short of 100 points in the game against Canada, but still won by 18 points. In the quarterfinal game, the USA won easily against Romania 135–53, with [[Ruthie Bolton]] scoring 40 points. The game against China was more of a challenge. The USA team shot poorly, hitting only 36% of their shots, but the defense held China to 35% shooting, and won a three-point game, 79–76. The gold medal match was against Spain, but the USA had a 13-point lead at halftime and won 88–62. Bolton was the highest scorer for the USA team with 14 points per game, but [[Lisa Leslie]] and [[Carolyn Jones-Young|Carolyn Jones]] were close behind with 13 points per game.<ref name="WUG 1991"/>
Darsch served as the assistant coach to the team representing the US at the World University Games held in [[Sheffield, England]], in July 1991. The USA team started out with a very strong offense, scoring over 100 points in each of the first four games. The fourth game was against the USSR, a team often challenging the US for the top spot, but the USA won 106–80 this time. The team fell short of 100 points in the game against Canada, but still won by 18 points. In the quarterfinal game, the USA won easily against Romania 135–53, with [[Ruthie Bolton]] scoring 40 points. The game against China was more of a challenge. The USA team shot poorly, hitting only 36% of their shots, but the defense held China to 35% shooting, and won a three-point game, 79–76. The gold medal match was against Spain, but the USA had a 13-point lead at halftime and won 88–62. Bolton was the highest scorer for the USA team with 14 points per game, but [[Lisa Leslie]] and [[Carolyn Jones-Young|Carolyn Jones]] were close behind with 13 points per game.<ref name="WUG 1991"/>


Nancy Darsch served as an assistant coach to the USA National team which competed at the 1994 [[FIBA World Championship for Women]] in [[Sydney, Australia]]. The USA team opened strong with large margins of victory in their first five games. The 18-point win over Australia was the smallest margin in that stretch of games. Then the USA team faced Slovakia, and had more of a challenge. The Slovakian team held a lead late in the game, before the USA team made a comeback and won 103–96. The next game was the semifinal against Brazil. The game was close most of the way, but Brazil hit ten free throws in ten attempts in the last minute of the game to edge out the USA 110–107. The USA faced Australia in the bronze medal game, the team they had beaten by 18 points only days before. This game would be much closer, but the USA held off the Aussies to claim the bronze medal.<ref name="1994 WORLD"/>
Nancy Darsch served as an assistant coach to the USA National team which competed at the 1994 [[FIBA World Championship for Women]] in [[Sydney, Australia]]. The USA team opened strong with large margins of victory in their first five games. The 18-point win over Australia was the smallest margin in that stretch of games. Then the USA team faced Slovakia, and had more of a challenge. The Slovakian team held a lead late in the game, before the USA team made a comeback and won 103–96. The next game was the semifinal against Brazil. The game was close most of the way, but Brazil hit ten free throws in ten attempts in the last minute of the game to edge out the USA 110–107. The USA faced Australia in the bronze medal game, the team they had beaten by 18 points only days before. This game would be much closer, but the USA held off the Aussies to claim the bronze medal.<ref name="1994 WORLD"/>


==Professional==
==Professional==
Darsch started her professional coaching career in the WNBA's inaugural season (1997) with the [[New York Liberty]]. As the head coach, she led the Liberty to a 17–11 season and the team advanced to the WNBA final against the eventual champion, the [[Houston Comets]]. She had the privilege of coaching the Liberty in the first-ever WNBA game against the [[Los Angeles Sparks]]. Darsch earned her first professional victory in that game with a 65–51 victory on June 21, 1997. In her two seasons with New York, she compiled a 36–24 record. In 1999, Darsch took over as head coach for the [[Washington Mystics]].<ref>''NY Times'', February 19, 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/keyword/nancy-darsch</ref> After two seasons at the helm, she became an advance scout for the team. For the seasons 2003-2005 she was an assistant coach with the [[Minnesota Lynx]].<ref>Minnesota Lynx News Archive http://www.wnba.com/lynx/news/darsch_030220.html</ref> Darsch's overall WNBA head coaching record stands at 57–57 in four seasons.
Darsch started her professional coaching career in the WNBA's inaugural season (1997) with the [[New York Liberty]]. As the head coach, she led the Liberty to a 17–11 season and the team advanced to the WNBA final against the eventual champion, the [[Houston Comets]]. She had the privilege of coaching the Liberty in the first-ever WNBA game against the [[Los Angeles Sparks]]. Darsch earned her first professional victory in that game with a 65–51 victory on June 21, 1997. In her two seasons with New York, she compiled a 36–24 record. In 1999, Darsch took over as head coach for the [[Washington Mystics]].<ref>''NY Times'', February 19, 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/keyword/nancy-darsch</ref> After two seasons at the helm, she became an advance scout for the team. For the seasons 2003-2005 she was an assistant coach with the [[Minnesota Lynx]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=News Archive |url=https://lynx.wnba.com/news/ |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Minnesota Lynx |language=en}}</ref> Darsch's overall WNBA head coaching record stands at 57–57 in four seasons.
Darsch joined the [[Seattle Storm]] and served as an assistant coach for the 2008 through 2013 seasons.<ref>WNBA Seattle Storm Roster http://www.wnba.com/storm/roster/nancy_darsch.html</ref> In 2010, under the direction of Head Coach [[Brian Agler]] and Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch, the Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship over Atlanta in three games.
Darsch joined the [[Seattle Storm]] and served as an assistant coach for the 2008 through 2013 seasons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Roster |url=https://storm.wnba.com/roster/ |access-date=September 2, 2022 |website=Seattle Storm |language=en}}</ref> In 2010, under the direction of Head Coach [[Brian Agler]] and Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch, the Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship over Atlanta in three games.


==Post coaching career==
==Post coaching career==
She was also a substitute teacher for [[Plymouth Public Schools]]. Darsch passed away at the age of 68 on November 2, 2020 of Parkinson's disease.
She was also a substitute teacher for [[Plymouth Public Schools]]. Darsch died at the age of 68 on November 2, 2020, of Parkinson's disease.<ref>{{cite web |last=Voepel |first=Mechelle |title=Nancy Darsch, who coached all levels of women's basketball, dies at 68 |url=https://www.espn.com/wnba/story/_/id/30247635/nancy-darsch-coached-all-levels-women-basketball-dies-68 |work=ESPN.com |access-date=November 3, 2020}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
{{Reflist|refs=


<ref name="1984 JONES CUP">{{cite web|title=1984 Women's R. William Jones Cup|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/wjcup_1984.html|publisher=USA Basketball|accessdate=18 May 2013|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428101729/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/wjcup_1984.html|archivedate=28 April 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="1984 JONES CUP">{{cite web|title=1984 Women's R. William Jones Cup|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/wjcup_1984.html|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=May 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428101729/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/wjcup_1984.html|archive-date=April 28, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="WUG 1991">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Fifteenth World University Games -- 1991|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/worlduniversity/wwug_1991.html|work=|publisher=USA Basketball|accessdate=21 May 2013}}</ref>
<ref name="WUG 1991">{{cite web|title=Fifteenth World University Games -- 1991|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/worlduniversity/wwug_1991.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515184057/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/worlduniversity/wwug_1991.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 15, 2011|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=May 21, 2013}}</ref>


<ref name="1994 WORLD">{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title={{sic|Twelv|th|nolink=yes}} World Championship For Women -- 1994|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/wwc_1994.html|work=|publisher=USA Basketball|accessdate=17 May 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819102338/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/wwc_1994.html|archive-date=19 August 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name="1994 WORLD">{{cite web|title=Twelfth<!-- "Twelvth" in original --> World Championship For Women -- 1994|url=http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/wwc_1994.html|publisher=USA Basketball|access-date=May 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120819102338/http://www.usabasketball.com/womens/national/wwc_1994.html|archive-date=August 19, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref>


}}
}}
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/darsch_nancy00.html CSTV]
*[http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/darsch_nancy00.html CSTV] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080228220723/http://bceagles.cstv.com/sports/w-baskbl/mtt/darsch_nancy00.html |date=February 28, 2008 }}
*[http://www.wnba.com/storm/ Official site of the Seattle Storm]
*[http://www.wnba.com/storm/ Official site of the Seattle Storm]


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[[Category:People from Plymouth, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:People from Plymouth, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Seattle Storm coaches]]
[[Category:Seattle Storm coaches]]
[[Category:Springfield College (Massachusetts) alumni]]
[[Category:Springfield College alumni]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coaches]]
[[Category:Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coaches]]
[[Category:University of Tennessee alumni]]
[[Category:University of Tennessee alumni]]
[[Category:Washington Mystics coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Mystics coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Mystics head coaches]]
[[Category:Washington Mystics head coaches]]
[[Category:Deaths from Parkinson's disease in Massachusetts]]

Latest revision as of 21:32, 16 April 2024

Nancy Darsch
Nancy Darsch in 2011
Biographical details
Born(1951-12-29)December 29, 1951
Plymouth, Massachusetts
DiedNovember 2, 2020(2020-11-02) (aged 68)
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Alma mater
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1978–1985Tennessee (assistant)
1985–1997Ohio State
1997–1998New York Liberty
1999–2000Washington Mystics
2003–2005Minnesota Lynx (assistant)
2006–2008Boston College (assistant)
2008–2013Seattle Storm (assistant)
Accomplishments and honors
Championships
WNBA Champion (2010)
Medal record
Representing  United States
Women’s Basketball
Assistant coach for  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta Team Competition
Assistant coach for  United States
FIBA World Championship for Women
Bronze medal – third place 1994 Sydney Team Competition
Assistant coach for  United States
Goodwill Games
Gold medal – first place 1994 St. Petersburg Team Competition
Assistant coach for  United States
World University Games
Gold medal – first place 1991 Sheffield Team Competition
Assistant coach for  United States
William Jones Cup
Gold medal – first place 1984 Taipei Team Competition
Assistant coach for  United States
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1984 Los Angeles Team Competition

Nancy Darsch (December 29, 1951 – November 2, 2020) was an American women's basketball coach who worked at both the professional and NCAA Division I college levels. A native of Plymouth, Massachusetts, Darsch was a 1973 graduate of Springfield College. She also earned a master's degree in physical education from the University of Tennessee. Darsch was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame on September 25, 2014.[1]

Early career and college basketball[edit]

Darsch began her coaching career at Longmeadow High School in Massachusetts, where she coached basketball, softball, and field hockey from 1973 to 1978. As an assistant under University of Tennessee head coach Pat Summitt from 1978 to 1985, Darsch helped lead the Lady Vols to five Final Four appearances. Darsch became the head coach at Ohio State University in 1985. In her 12 years at the helm at Ohio State, she led the Buckeyes to four Big Ten Conference Championships and seven NCAA appearances. In 1993, Darsch led Ohio State to a 24–4 record, a Big Ten Championship and the NCAA final. In the championship game, Ohio State lost to Texas Tech, 84–82. She compiled a record of 234–125 (.652) while at Ohio State.[2] Darsch took on the role of assistant coach at Boston College in 2006 and 2007, helping the Eagles to compile a 33–27 record during those two seasons, as well as earning a berth in the post-season WNIT.[3]

Olympics[edit]

After 1984, Darsch had been part of USA Basketball. As an assistant coach for the USA Women’s Olympic Basketball team she won Olympic gold medals in both the 1984 (Los Angeles) and 1996 (Atlanta) Olympic Games.[4]

USA Basketball[edit]

Darsch served as an assistant coach of the team representing the US in 1984 at the William Jones Cup competition in Taipei, Taiwan. The team chosen to represent the USA was the team expected to be selected as the national team for the Olympics. This resulted in a very strong team which was able to dominate the competition. In the opening game against Australia, the USA won 82–20. While other games were closer, Italy's 23-point loss to the USA was the closest of the eight games. The USA won all eight games, and won the gold medal. The USA team was led by Cheryl Miller, who led the team in scoring at over 15 points per game, rebounding, free throw percentage, assists and steals. Miller was named to the All-Tournament Team, along with Lynette Woodard, and Denise Curry.[5]

Darsch served as the assistant coach to the team representing the US at the World University Games held in Sheffield, England, in July 1991. The USA team started out with a very strong offense, scoring over 100 points in each of the first four games. The fourth game was against the USSR, a team often challenging the US for the top spot, but the USA won 106–80 this time. The team fell short of 100 points in the game against Canada, but still won by 18 points. In the quarterfinal game, the USA won easily against Romania 135–53, with Ruthie Bolton scoring 40 points. The game against China was more of a challenge. The USA team shot poorly, hitting only 36% of their shots, but the defense held China to 35% shooting, and won a three-point game, 79–76. The gold medal match was against Spain, but the USA had a 13-point lead at halftime and won 88–62. Bolton was the highest scorer for the USA team with 14 points per game, but Lisa Leslie and Carolyn Jones were close behind with 13 points per game.[6]

Nancy Darsch served as an assistant coach to the USA National team which competed at the 1994 FIBA World Championship for Women in Sydney, Australia. The USA team opened strong with large margins of victory in their first five games. The 18-point win over Australia was the smallest margin in that stretch of games. Then the USA team faced Slovakia, and had more of a challenge. The Slovakian team held a lead late in the game, before the USA team made a comeback and won 103–96. The next game was the semifinal against Brazil. The game was close most of the way, but Brazil hit ten free throws in ten attempts in the last minute of the game to edge out the USA 110–107. The USA faced Australia in the bronze medal game, the team they had beaten by 18 points only days before. This game would be much closer, but the USA held off the Aussies to claim the bronze medal.[7]

Professional[edit]

Darsch started her professional coaching career in the WNBA's inaugural season (1997) with the New York Liberty. As the head coach, she led the Liberty to a 17–11 season and the team advanced to the WNBA final against the eventual champion, the Houston Comets. She had the privilege of coaching the Liberty in the first-ever WNBA game against the Los Angeles Sparks. Darsch earned her first professional victory in that game with a 65–51 victory on June 21, 1997. In her two seasons with New York, she compiled a 36–24 record. In 1999, Darsch took over as head coach for the Washington Mystics.[8] After two seasons at the helm, she became an advance scout for the team. For the seasons 2003-2005 she was an assistant coach with the Minnesota Lynx.[9] Darsch's overall WNBA head coaching record stands at 57–57 in four seasons. Darsch joined the Seattle Storm and served as an assistant coach for the 2008 through 2013 seasons.[10] In 2010, under the direction of Head Coach Brian Agler and Assistant Coach Nancy Darsch, the Seattle Storm won the WNBA Championship over Atlanta in three games.

Post coaching career[edit]

She was also a substitute teacher for Plymouth Public Schools. Darsch died at the age of 68 on November 2, 2020, of Parkinson's disease.[11]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Nancy Darsch — Hall Of Fame Weekend Recap". Ohio State Buckeyes. October 3, 2014. Retrieved April 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Ohio State website http://grfx.cstv.com/schools/osu/graphics/pdf/w-baskbl/1011_p126to153.pdf
  3. ^ Boston College website http://www.cstv.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/bc/sports/w-baskbl/auto_pdf/0607-quick-facts
  4. ^ USA Basketball History, Women's Asst. Coaches "USA Basketball: All-Time USA Basketball Women's Teams Assistant Coaches". Archived from the original on November 15, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2012.
  5. ^ "1984 Women's R. William Jones Cup". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on April 28, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Fifteenth World University Games -- 1991". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on May 15, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2013.
  7. ^ "Twelfth World Championship For Women -- 1994". USA Basketball. Archived from the original on August 19, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2013.
  8. ^ NY Times, February 19, 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/keyword/nancy-darsch
  9. ^ "News Archive". Minnesota Lynx. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  10. ^ "Roster". Seattle Storm. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  11. ^ Voepel, Mechelle. "Nancy Darsch, who coached all levels of women's basketball, dies at 68". ESPN.com. Retrieved November 3, 2020.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nancy_Darsch&oldid=1219292185"