Peter Koutroumpis
DURHAM, N.C. – Kara Lawson was named as the fifth head women’s basketball coach at Duke, as announced on Saturday by Athletics Director Kevin White.
“A highly-seasoned champion at multiple levels within the basketball landscape, Kara Lawson is the ideal fit for Duke University,” commented White about the former WNBA and Olympic champion.
“Throughout the (search) process, it became abundantly clear that her authenticity, passion, contemporary vision and unwavering commitment to the student-athlete experience align seamlessly with the values of the institution. With her high degree of emotional intelligence, Kara’s astute ability to connect with future, current and former student-athletes, as well as the passionate and dedicated supporters of Duke women’s basketball, will have an immediate and profound impact on the entire program.”
Lawson joins Emma Jean Howard (1976-77), Debbie Leonard (1978-92), Gail Goestenkors (1993-2007) and Joanne P. McCallie (2008-20) who have led the Blue Devils.
The expeditious hire came just nine days following McCallie’s social media announcement that she would be stepping down after 13 years in the position.
Lawson, a 2003 Tennessee graduate, brings her decorated basketball career, both on and off the court, to the Blue Devils after spending last season as an assistant coach with the Boston Celtics.
She had helped Boston to a 43-21 record and into third place in the Eastern Conference prior to the stoppage of the 2019-20 NBA season due to COVID-19.
Lawson was the Celtics first female coach in the franchise’s 73-year history.
“Well, it is a dream come true for me,” Lawson said.
“I have wanted to be a coach since I was a kid. To have an opportunity to lead a group of young women at a prestigious university like Duke – I have run out of words; it is unbelievable and very exciting. I am thankful for the path that led me here and thankful for the belief of President Price, Kevin White, Nina King, Coach Krzyzewski, Coach Cutcliffe and everyone surrounding the program. Everybody I spoke with and had a chance to interact with, I immediately felt a great connection. It wasn’t a decision based on emotion, but there was a lot of emotion involved in it because of how excited I am and how ready I am to get started and to work with the players.”
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The Kara Lawson File
Hometown: Alexandria, Va.
Education: Tennessee, 2003 (Finance)
High School: West Springfield High School
Husband: Damien Barling
Birthday: February 14, 1981
Coaching Experience
2020-present: Duke University (Head Coach)
2019-20: Boston Celtics (Assistant Coach)
2017-present: USA Basketball 3-on-3 Team (Head Coach)
USA Basketball
Preparing USA Basketball 3-on-3 Team for 2021 Tokyo Olympics
Helped lead 3×3 teams to six gold medals since 2017
Led U18 3×3 teams to three straight titles
Led 3×3 men’s and women’s teams to gold medal at 2019 Pan American Games
2009 National Team Training Camp
2008 National Team (Gold Medal)
2007 FIBA Americas Championship Team (Gold Medal)
2006 National Team Spring Training Team
2001 World University Games (Gold Medal)
1998 World Youth Games Team (Bronze Medal)
WNBA
Surpassed 3,000 points, 800 rebounds and 700 assists over her 13-year career
Led nine of her teams to the playoffs out of 13 seasons
2009 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award winner
2007 WNBA All-Star
Led Sacramento Monarchs to WNBA Title in 2005
Drafted in the 2003 Draft, No. 5 overall, by the Detroit Shock
2003 WNBA Select Team that played in FIBA World Cup (2nd)
Tennessee
Guided Tennessee to a 126-17 overall and 54-2 SEC record
Led Lady Vols to four straight SEC Tournament and regular season titles
Made 2000, 2002 and 2003 NCAA Final Four appearances
Ranks sixth all-time in scoring (1,950)
Four-time All-SEC First Team (2000-03)
Two-time Naismith Player of the Year finalist (2002-03)
Two-time U.S. Basketball Writers of America All-America honoree (2002-03)
2003 Kodak All-America
2003 Associated Press Second Team All-America
2003 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Student-Athlete of the Year
2003 CoSIDA/Verizon First Team Academic All-America selection
2002 Associated Press Third Team All-America
2001 Associated Press Honorable Mention All-America
2001 CoSIDA/Verizon Academic All-District honoree
2000 Women’s Basketball Journal Freshman All-America and SEC All-Freshman Team
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Peter Koutroumpis: 401-323-8960; @pksport