Lehigh University Athletics
Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Associate Head Coach
- Email:
- tgr204@lehigh.edu
- Phone:
- 610-758-4362
- Alma Mater:
- Sixth season
Assistant coach Glenn Rigney is in his sixth season with the Mountain Hawks as the team’s defensive coach and his third season as the associate head coach. Rigney’s defensive philosophy helped Lehigh put up staggering defensive numbers in the 2007-08 season, leading all Patriot League defenses and finishing fifth in the nation in scoring defense (52.9 points allowed per game). In 2008-09, the Mountain Hawks finished first in the league in field goal percentage defense (.367) and 3-point field goal percentage defense (.293) and ranked second in scoring defense (57.2 points per game) en route to winning the Patriot League Championship.
In addition to defensive play, Rigney will also be in charge of coordinating the team’s recruiting, scouting and coaching the guards in 2009-10.
Rigney worked primarily with the guards in the 2008-09 season, including Erica Prosser, who was named Patriot League Player of the Year. Under Rigney’s guidance, Lehigh’s guards put up staggering numbers, leading to a school-record 196 made 3-pointers and two All-Patriot League selections from the backcourt. Alex Ross broke her own school record by sinking 93 triples in the 2008-09 season.
During his first season, Rigney worked primarily with the post players. That year, his group held a plus 4.9 rebound margin over Patriot League opponents and had the league’s best defensive rebounds average with 25 rebounds per game.
“Coach Rigney brings a wealth of knowledge to our program, strong teaching abilities, a strong understanding of recruiting and the types of student-athletes we are targeting at our level,” said Lehigh head coach Sue Troyan. “He possesses a high level of knowledge regarding our league and league opponents, and a strong sense for the value we hold within the Patriot League, in particular, at Lehigh.”
Rigney first got involved with collegiate basketball in 1981 when he was a student-assistant for the University of North Carolina-Greensboro men’s basketball team. He was promoted to full-time assistant coach the following year elevating his duties to include being responsible for practice planning, recruiting, scouting and on-floor coaching.
Rigney has been no stranger to the Patriot League, having held positions at Navy and American. While at Navy (2001-03), Rigney’s focus was on the guards and team defense. He coached under Joe Sanchez, who helped build Navy’s women’s basketball program. During his two years with the Midshipmen, Rigney coached two-time first-team All-Patriot League selection Courtney Davidson.
While at American, Rigney acted as the team’s recruiting coordinator and was responsible for post play. In his one season with the Eagles (2003-04), American finished second in the league standings and made its first appearance in the Patriot League Championship game. Under Rigney’s direction, Chanel Hunt was selected to the Second-Team All-Patriot League. Hunt had a team-best 155 defensive rebounds and 12 blocks that season.
Prior to getting involved at the collegiate level for the second time in his career, Rigney worked at the high school level for 17 years. He was the athletic director and chairman of the physical education department at
Rigney received his bachelors from the
