Coquese To Conquer For Five More Years

Coach Coquese Washington, who has rebuilt the Penn State women's basketball program after the distractions that her predecessor, Rene Portland, left, has been rewarded for all of her hard work with a new five-year contract extension that will make her the Lady Lions' coach through the 2017 season.

Washington, who flirted with an offer to take over the Michigan program earlier this year, will make approximately $3.5 million total throughout the length of her new contract. She took over the program in 2007 after Portland resigned in a cloud of controversy over her treatment of homosexual players.

Her first two years focused on growing the program into the national powerhouse it had once been. Her third season resulted in an NIT appearance and her last two years have both brought forth trips to the Big Dance which included a Sweet Sixteen appearance this past year. Her overall record is 66-60, but over the past two years, she has won 75% of her games and captured her first Big Ten title as coach this past season.

Expectations are high once again for Penn State as they were ranked #8 in the nation in Lindy's preseason poll that came out earlier this week. Guards Alex Bentley and Maggie Lucas were also named to the watch list for the Wade Trophy which is considered the "Heisman of women's basketball".

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