Kearney

CULLOWHEE, N.C. — Heather Kearney always believed she would find her way back into a head coaching spot.

To that end, Western Carolina University found her.

The Harrisville native and graduate of both Slippery Rock High and Slippery Rock University was hired May 16 to take the reins of the Catamounts' Division I women's basketball program.

Kearney has been coaching in the college ranks for two decades, most recently as an assistant at High Point University, another Division I school in North Carolina.

She last served as a head coach at California (Pa.) University in 2008-09 when she guided the Lady Vulcans to a 29-5 record.

“Stacey Miller (Western Carolina's assistant athletic director) reached out to me about the opening,” said Kearney. “I had a phone interview and thought it went well. Then I visited the campus and it felt like the right fit. I've always loved the mountains and mountain biking is my favorite hobby.

“I'd been very much committed to being an assistant over the last several years, but God puts you in situations for a reason,” she added.

Said WCU athletic director Randy Eaton in a press release regarding the hire: “Heather brings a vast amount of experience at the mid-major level. I think (she) is the piece we have been missing.”

Kearney and the Catamounts are in rebuilding mode after Western Carolina finished 4-26 last season, but Kearney has seen such a circumstance before and helped reverse a program's fortunes.

“When I took over as an assistant at Appalachian State (in 2009), they hadn't made a national tournament in 10 years and we turned it around,” Kearney said.

Under then-Appalachian State head coach Darcie Vincent, Kearney helped the program to four straight 20-plus win seasons.

“We have to get the players to believe in themselves and the program,” said Kearney of WCU's current situation. “Offense comes and goes, but the keys to turning around a program are defense and rebounding. Wins are a by-product of doing things the right way.”

Kearney wasted no time diving into her new job.

“I had conversations with all of our current players and even did a bit of recruiting,” she said. “You have to enjoy that part of it. It's important, getting the right person to be part of the program. We're looking for quality student-athletes.”

The seed for coaching was planted with Kearney long ago.

“I can remember in elementary school, we would go outside to play kickball at recess,” she said. “I would be the one who came up with the teams, how many innings we were going to play, the order of the lineup. So, I was either a bossy kid or born to be a coach.”

Kearney has gained much knowledge over the years, particularly from Vincent, who coached Kearney in college and had her on her coaching staff at SRU and California prior to arriving at Appalachian State.

The duo steered Cal to an NCAA Division II national title in 2004.

“She influenced me the most,” admitted Kearney. “She taught me a lot about the technical aspect of the game, but also about taking care of people.

“I love to compete, I grew up doing that. But it's also about enjoying the other 95 percent of coaching, the preparation and the relationships.”