Women's Basketball Coach
Head Coach Brian Wilson- Third Season
Brian Wilson, the former associate head coach at the College of the Holy Cross, enters his third season as the head women's basketball coach at Connecticut College. Wilson, a 2000 graduate of the University of Virginia, spent the previous six seasons with the Crusader program in the Patriot League, handling the critical role of recruiting coordinator for five years.
At Holy Cross, Wilson's teams earned NCAA Tournament berths in 2005 and 2007, reaching the Patriot League Championship game for four consecutive years from 2005-2008. Wilson earned a reputation as an effective and tireless recruiter. In 2007, Wilson's recruiting class was recognized by the Blue Star Basketball Report in its honorable mention category. Wilson was responsible for recruiting Briana McFadden, the 2008 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year.
In 2007, Wilson was elevated to the position of Associate Head Coach, becoming just the second coach at the college to hold that title in the past 24 years. Prior to Holy Cross, Wilson spent two years in the Bluegrass State as a graduate assistant at Western Kentucky University. In 2003, the Hilltoppers captured the Sun Belt Conference Crown, securing a berth in the NCAA Championship. Wilson received his Master of Arts in History at WKU in 2006.
Wilson has spent the bulk of his coaching career in the Division I ranks but landed his first coaching job in the NESCAC at Williams College as an intern with the men's and women's basketball programs.
Dana Simonelli - Assistant Coach - First Season
Dana Simonelli enters her first season as assistant women’s basketball coach at Connecticut College.
Simonelli played at the Division 1 level for Providence College in the Big East Conference. She appeared in every game of her college career and garnered Big East Rookie of the Week honors multiple times during the 1995-96 campaign. Simonelli helped the Friars win the BIG EAST 7 Co-Championship during her rookie season with a 9-9 record in conference play.
Simonelli gained valuable international playing experience in Denmark and Sweden after being selected to summer 1997 BIG EAST/Nike Women’s Basketball All-Star Team.
Simonelli spent two seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach with Felician College women’s basketball team in Rutherford, N.J. a Division II program in the Central Atlntic Collegiate Conference (CACC) and the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).
During her two-year stint as an assistant, the Lady Falcons posted an overall record of 20-34. Simonelli’s focus was on the post players and their overall development as student athletes.
This past year, Simonelli served as the junior varsity head girl’s basketball coach for Jackson Memorial High School in Jackson, N.J. Simonelli guided the Lady Jaguars to a record of 13-3, and also served as a varsity assistant coach, where she was instrumental in the development of post players.
Prior to joining the Jackson Memorial Girls Basketball program Dana gained valuable basketball knowledge with her role as a web broadcaster for both Seton Hall University (2004-05) and Georgetown University (2007-08) Women’s Basketball programs, where she was hired as a color analyst.
Simonelli earned her B.A. in English and is currently taking courses toward her teacher certification at Connecticut College.
Last Modified: Thursday, January 19, 2012 4:35 PM