April 3, 2002
By STEPHEN MANNING
Associated Press Writer
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Brenda Frese spent Monday night at home in
Minneapolis, watching the Maryland men and coach Gary Williams win the
school's first national basketball title.
Two days later, as she was introduced as the Terrapins' new women's coach,
Frese made it clear: This championship won't be the school's last if she
has her way.
"One of coach Williams' players summed it up best when he said anybody who
has ever played would love to win a national championship. That is why I'm
here," she said.
Selected The Associated Press coach of the year this season, Frese leaves
Minnesota to take over a Maryland program that was once an NCAA tournament
regular but has struggled recently.
In her first season at Minnesota, she guided a team that won only eight
games in the 2000-2001 season to a 22-8 record and its first NCAA tournament
appearance since 1994.
Frese, 31, said she switched to Maryland for a chance to play in the
Atlantic Coast Conference and the new Comcast Center, which opens next
season.
Her new contract also includes what Maryland athletic director Deborah Yow
called a "significant" buyout clause, which ensures the university will be
compensated if Frese takes another job before her contract expires.
Frese replaces Chris Weller, who retired in March after 27 years and 499
wins. Weller led the Terps to two NCAA Final Four appearances in the 1980s,
but the team finished last in the ACC this season at 13-17.
