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Rice University Athletics
Women's Hoops Adds Rebecca Kates as Assistant Coach
6/18/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
June 18, 2008
HOUSTON - Head coach Greg Williams completed his coaching staff for the 2008-09 season Wednesday by hiring Rebecca Kates as an assistant coach effective immediately. She will coach the Owl post players.
"I'm really excited to return to Rice where my previous experience was a very positive one," Kates said. "Coach Williams has done an excellent job with the women's basketball program. I feel privileged to be working with him and his staff again."
Kates served as Rice's Director of Basketball Operations during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons as the Owls recorded back-to-back WNIT appearances. She was responsible for team travel and assisted with game management. She also oversaw community relations in addition to the team managers before taking an assistant coaching job at Tulsa in 2007.
With the Golden Hurricane, Kates assisted with recruiting and scouting along with developing Tulsa's post players. Larrissa Williams notched All-Conference USA Third-Team honors, while Chanel Johnson secured a spot on the league's All-Defensive Team in 2007. Williams ranked in C-USA's Top 10 averaging 14.4 points and 9.5 rebounds per game. Johnson recorded 85 blocks, the second-most over a single-season in program history. The 85 blocks also were the 14th-most in the nation.
Kates was a four-year letterwinner at Mississippi State where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in communication with a major in broadcasting and a minor in public relations. She drilled 107 three-pointers in 121 games en route to 615 career points. The Lady Bulldogs advanced to the NCAA Second Round in 2002 and 2003 along with a WNIT appearance in 2005.
"I'm very happy for this opportunity to bring Rebecca back to our staff at Rice," Williams said. "She did an outstanding job for us as our Director of Operations and is familiar with our program. Rebecca is a hard worker, an excellent recruiter and will bring energy to her job everyday. It has been fun to watch her grow as a coach and she has a bright a future ahead of her."
