SLIPPERY ROCK — Bobby McGraw now is the real deal at Slippery Rock University. No more acting for him.

McGraw is SRU's new head women's basketball coach.

The 1990 Mars graduate was The Rock's acting head coach this past season, leading the team to an 11-16 record and first PSAC Tournament appearance in nine years. The 11 wins were the most posted by the program since the 2005-06 campaign.

There were more than 100 applicants for the open position this offseason and McGraw was selected over two other finalists with ample head coaching experience.

“I can't say enough how I appreciate the confidence President (Cheryl) Norton and (athletic director) Paul Lueken are showing in me,” McGraw said. “We're planning on taking SRU women's basketball into a new era.

“The goal of making the conference tournament is in the past. That's been done. Our target for next year is winning the conference championship and reaching the national tournament. Our talent level is capable of those accomplishments.”

Lueken admitted McGraw got the job over a pair of two veteran head coaches.

“We took a long time to decide this because we wanted to get it right,” Lueken said. “In the end, we just felt Bobby was the right fit for our program moving forward.”