— By Bill Cornwell
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. — In living out a dream she shared with her father, Kim Stephens was introduced Monday afternoon as the new Marshall women’s basketball coach inside the Cam Henderson Center just hours after the school made official Stephens’ hiring.
Stephens led her alma mater, Glenville State for the last seven seasons and guided the Pioneers to the NCAA Division II final four last week one season after Glenville won the National Championship.
Now she gets to work in Huntington under a seven-year contract — something Stephens had aspired to do having grown up in Parkersburg, played for her late father Scott Stephens at Parkersburg South High School and then continued her career on the hardwood in college at Glenville State.
“I used to come home from practice and I’d see how hard he was working, watching film,” Stephens said. “I just want to live up to his legacy and honor it.”
Stephens compiled a 191-24 record at Glenville that included victories in 68 of 72 games over the last two seasons. She believes she’s joining an athletic department on the rise at Marshall.
“Great things are happening here,” Stephens said. “You walk around this building and you see the changes that indicate things are headed in the right direction.
“I’m also excited by the talent on the roster and I’m excited to work with them.”
Stephens is replacing Tony Kemper, who resigned earlier this month to become head coach of the women’s basketball program at Central Arkansas. Kemper led the Thundering Herd to a 17-14 record in his sixth season as head coach at Marshall, which marked the Herd’s first season as a Sun Belt Conference member. Kemper finished his Marshall tenure at 79-90.
Despite losing more than 90 percent of the offensive production from its National Championship squad, the Pioneers recently wrapped up a 33-3 season in which they won the Mountain East Conference regular season and tournament championships and then four games in the NCAA Tournament before bowing out to top seed and unbeaten Ashland.
Stephens was the recipient of the Pat Summitt Trophy following the 2021-22 season after being named as the WBCA NCAA Division II National Coach of the Year. She also earned the 2022 Mickey Furfari Award, which is given to West Virginia’s College Coach of the Year by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
“I love Glenville — part of my heart will always be here,” Stephens said. I have had some of the best moments of my life there and have met the most wonderful people. I am so thankful to this community, our athletic department and loyal, yet, rowdy fans. Mostly, I want to thank every player who’s worn a Glenville jersey for me. Without you, I wouldn’t have this opportunity. Thank you for your hard work and your trust. I wouldn’t be where I am today without you. And I want to thank the fans for filling the stands and making us feel special. I hope to keep making you proud in Huntington.”
“𝐖𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞.”
Meet Coach Stephens in the Hartley Room at the Cam Henderson Center today at 4 p.m.
Press Conference at 5 p.m. Link ⬇️
🔗: https://t.co/EgWtYGu0V4 pic.twitter.com/6acKDjGxo4
— Marshall Women’s Basketball (@HerdWBB) March 27, 2023
Stephens’ Glenville teams were known and praised for their aggressive style with a fast-paced attack that was predicated on pressure defense and utilizing the majority of her roster in games.
She hopes to continue that with the Thundering Herd.
“Coach Kemper didn’t leave the cupboard bare when he left,” Stephens said. “I’ve already talked with the current players and told them what I expect from them. I’ve been in their shoes since I played for three different coaches during my playing career at Glenville.”
She also played for her father Scott, who won three state championships at PSHS (2006, 2008 and 2013). Kim Stephens was a member of Scott’s first title-winning team. He later joined his daughter’s staff at Glenville after stepping down from his position with the Patriots. Scott Stephens passed away from an aggressive brain tumor in 2020.
The Pioneers now try to move forward following the departure of one of the more successful coaches in school history, whose success in Gilmer County won’t soon be forgotten.
“Coach Stephens has been an honor to work with,” Glenville State President Mark Manchin said. “She has brought a great deal of honor and prestige to our university. Our institution has a great relationship with Marshall, and we wish Kim the best with this move.”