Former ASU standout joins Sugar Bear staff

Adrianne Davie, one of the greatest women's basketball players in Arkansas State history, has joined coach Matt Daniel's new staff for the University of Central Arkansas Sugar Bears.

Davie, the career leader in rebounds and blocked shots and third-leading scorer in Lady Indian history, joins the UCA coaching staff after stints with Real Club Celta in Vigo, Spain, and the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in 2007. That followed a standout career with ASU in which she led the Lady Indians to their first regular season conference championship and three WNIT appearances while winning nearly 20 games per season.

"I feel like I got an absolute steal in Adrianne," said Daniel, who is starting his first year at UCA after coming from the University of Missouri. "She's going to be great in this business. She was obviously a tremendous player in both high school and college and I know she was well-coached at both Central Arkansas Christian and Arkansas State. I believe she's an up-and-coming star in the coaching ranks and I'm excited to have her."

A three-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection and four-time team MVP at Arkansas State, Davie had just concluded a season playing professionally in Spain when she returned home and begin the next phase of her career.

"It's a great opportunity for me and I'm very excited to be here," she said. "Coach Daniel gave me a huge opportunity to get my foot in the door coming out of college. I'm happy to get back into basketball now that I'm done playing, coaching is the next step for me. And this is a great place to be for me. Coach Daniel has already done so much since he's been here and I can't wait to be a part of this program."

Davie, who had an outstanding high school career at Central Arkansas Christian in North Little Rock, was impressed upon returning to her home region and stepping foot on the UCA campus.

"When I came here for my interview, I was blown away," she said. "I saw the campus and was amazed at how much it has grown and how much Lu Hardin has done for the campus and the town of Conway. It's amazing, I was really shocked. And when I met coach Daniel in person I was sold. He's a great person, energetic, fun everything you want in a head coach. I think everyone should be so excited about having him."

"She's willing to do whatever it takes to help this program be successful and I learned that in a short period of time," Daniel said. "She's going to be involved in all aspects of the program and be our liaison for marketing. She'll help coach primarily the post players and be involved in scouting and very heavily involved in recruiting. She's going to have a tremendous impact on this program."

Daniel had previously announced that Tiffany Phillips, an assistant on the previous staff, will be retained.