Daron Park enters his second season at Maryland after making an immediate impact on the program in his first. Park, who joined Brenda Frese's staff prior to the 2007-08 season, suddenly found himself at the helm while Frese was sidelined for much of the season due to pregnancy and the birth of her twins.
Park acted as the floor coach while Frese was on leave, going 9-1 with the only loss coming in double overtime at No. 3 North Carolina. In that role, Park navigated a 76-69 win at Cameron Indoor Stadium the day Frese gave birth to her twins, completing the first season sweep of Duke for the Terps since the 1992-93 season. His steady hand helped the Terps not skip a beat as they established a new program best with a 21-0 mark at home.
Alongside Frese, Park helped Maryland reach the NCAA Elite Eight, while recording only the second 30-win campaign in program history. Under Park's watchful eye, the Terps boasted All-American honorees Crystal Langhorne and Kristi Toliver. Langhorne and Laura Harper emerged as two of the top picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft, while Kristi Toliver became the first Terp to win the Nancy Lieberman Award. The Terps finished the regular season second in the ACC standings, tying a school record for league wins with 13 and earning a No. 1 seed to the NCAA Tournament. Maryland also led the nation in field goal shooting.
"Daron is an upbeat, energetic coach who has a direct effect on our players," said Frese. "His strengths include on-court player development, scouting and game management. His fresh ideas have had a huge impact on our team."
During Park's tenure as an assistant to legendary Utah head coach Elaine Elliott, the Utes won two Mountain West Conference Championships, making two NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2006, Utah made its best-ever showing in the Big Dance, advancing to the Elite Eight, falling 10 points short of the NCAA Final Four to the eventual national champion Terrapins in overtime.
Helping the Utes to 72 victories during his three seasons, his primary responsibilities included development of perimeter players, scouting of opponents, game preparation and assisting in recruiting efforts, helping bring current WNBA star Leilani Mitchell to Utah.. He coached former Ute standouts Kim Smith and Shona Thorburn, both MWC Players of the Year and first-round WNBA draft picks.
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, for four years from 2000-04. He handled all facets of the program 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 league in field goal percentage, had two all-conference picks and the newcomer of the year.
Park served as an assistant for the Westminster men's team in 1999 before being appointed the first head coach of the women's team.
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, amassing a 61-27 record over his three years.
Park was a team manager for the University of Idaho's men's basketball team in 1989-90, then transferred to Montana State, where he also served in that capacity until graduating in 1994 with a degree in health enhancement.
Park is married to his wife, Laura. The couple has two children - a daughter, Rylee (8) and a son Dillon (3) - and live in Laurel, Md.
Park's Coaching Credentials
• Assistant Coach, Maryland (May 2007-present)
• Assistant Coach, Utah (June 2004-April 2007)
• Head Coach, Westminster College (April 2000-May 2004)
• Assistant Coach, Westminster College (June 1999-March 2000)
The Personal Side of Daron Park
Educational Background:
• Bachelor of Science in Health Enhancement (Montana State University, 1994)
Athletic Background:
• One season as team manager of the men's basketball team at the University of Idaho
• Three seasons as team manager of the men's basketball team at Montana State University
High School:
• Great Falls (Great Falls, Mont.)
• Three varsity letters in basketball, football and golf
Family:
• Married to wife, Laura
• One daughter, Rylee (8), and one son, Dillon (3)
• Son of Janet Weaver
• Sister: Karley (34)
