May 3, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Head coach Brenda Frese has announced that Daron Park has been hired as an assistant coach for the Maryland women's basketball team. Park brings with him over 10 years of coaching experience, including the last three at the University of Utah.
Park replaces Jeff Walz, who left Maryland after five years to become the head coach at the University of Louisville. Park's responsibilities will include assisting in on-court player development, game management and recruiting.
"We're excited about welcoming Daron and his family into our Maryland community. Daron is a perfect fit for our program and I have no doubt he will help to continue our goal of winning championships," said Frese, who is wrapping up her fifth season at the Terrapin helm. "His strengths include on-court player development, scouting and game management. He will have a huge impact on this team."
"I'm thrilled to be joining one of the premier programs in the country in the best conference in the country," said Park. "I'm grateful to Elaine [Elliott] for the opportunity to coach and gain valuable experience at Utah. I have the utmost respect for Brenda and her staff for what they have done in a short amount of time. I am looking forward to continuing and building on the success at Maryland."
A native of Great Falls, Mont., Park spent the last three seasons with the Utes as a member of legendary coach Elaine Elliott's staff. Park helped the Utes to their best-ever showing in the NCAA Tournament in 2006, reaching the Elite Eight before falling to the eventual national champion Terrapins.
During his tenure, Utah won two Mountain West Conference titles, made two NCAA Tournament appearances and won 72 games. He also coached former Utes Kim Smith and Shona Thorburn, who were MWC Players of the Year and went on to be first-round draft picks in the WNBA. Park's primary responsibilities included development of perimeter players, scouting of opponents, game preparation and recruiting.
Prior to arriving at Utah, Park was head coach of the women's basketball team at Westminster College, a NAIA school in Salt Lake City, from 2000-04. He handled all facets of the program, including developing the team's offensive and defensive philosophies, game management, practice planning, team travel and recruiting, while also serving as the head coach of the golf teams and the department's sports information director. Park produced 30 academic all-conference and eight Academic All-America selections while there. In 2003-04, the Lady Griffins led the conference in field goal percentage, had two all-conference picks and the newcomer of the year.
Park began his coaching career as an assistant coach for the Valley High School boys basketball team in Las Vegas, a position he held from 1996-99, winning the 1997 zone championship and 1998 state title, while amassing a 61-27 record over his three years. He went on to be an assistant men's basketball coach at Westminster in 1999 before being appointed head coach of the women's team.
Park attended the University of Idaho in 1989-90 and was a manager for the men's basketball team. He transferred to Montana State, where he also served as a manager until graduating in 1994 with a degree in health enhancement.
Park is married to his wife, Laura. The couple have two children - a daughter, Rylee (6) and a son Dillon (2).
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