Carly Thibault-DuDonis promoted to Gophers associate head coach

Gophers women's basketball assistant coach Carly Thibault-DuDonis was promoted to associate head coach, the program announced on Thursday.

"It was something we had discussed a little bit when she first came from Mississippi State," head coach Lindsay Whalen said. "Going into year three, with where we're going as a program, I felt it was the right time for the program to take that step, and for Carly to take that next step as well."

The two go back to the start of Whalen's WNBA career, which began in 2004 with the Connecticut Sun — then coached by Thibault-DuDonis' father, Mike Thibault.

Thibault-DuDonis was at Mississippi State for two seasons — both of which ended in the NCAA Final Four — serving as an assistant and recruiter. With the Gophers she is in charge of coordinating recruiting and working with the guards.

"She's a tireless worker," Whalen said. "She's always coming up with new and different ways to help the team and the staff. I felt it was deserved."

Thibault-DuDonis worked with Kenisha Bell during her strong senior year in 2018-19. This past season she mentored guards Jasmine Powell and Sara Scalia, both of whom were named to at least one Big Ten all-freshmen team.

KENT YOUNGBLOOD