Lynne-Ann Kokoski is built to be leader. That statement was true long before she took over as head coach for the Bryant University women’s basketball team this season, and her unbridled passion for winning has only proven to be even more correct.

This winter marks year one as a Division 1 head coach for Kokoski, who previously served as an assistant at UMass for four years, and if the Bulldogs (10-10) manage to win five of their nine remaining games on the schedule, it will be the program’s first winning season since the 2016-17 campaign.

Those four years with the Minutewomen prepared Kokoski, a Hatfield native and Smith Academy graduate, for the challenge of leading her own program. Kokoski helped transform UMass from a middle-of-the-pack Atlantic 10 team to a conference powerhouse and a near-lock to make the NCAA tournament.

“Oh, 100 percent it prepared me for this,” Kokoski said of her time at UMass. “If I didn’t have the experience and the winning and the championship mindset, I don’t think I would be in the position that I’m in right now as the head coach at Bryant. Or I wouldn’t understand what it takes to try and change the culture and the mentality of a program to go win a championship.”

Kokoski was a McDonald’s All-American nominee her senior year at Smith Academy after surpassing 2,000 points as a senior. She went on to break multiple records as a player at Bryant (single-season assists and minutes played, fourth in steals) before joining the staff as an assistant in 2009. As a senior, Kokoski was a solo captain while leading the Bulldogs to 20 wins, the NE-10 conference title and an NCAA Tournament berth.

Being back at a place she calls home and grew into her own is a feeling second to none.

“This place has always been special to me and it still is, so it’s really neat to be back in a different capacity,” Kokoski said. “As I tell every recruit that walks through the door – this place is so personal. It’s neat to walk around campus and see former professors that I’ve had and administrators that are still here that were here when I played here. The support and the backing that I have – I have vice presidents reaching out wishing me luck or congratulating me on a big win. Things like that make this place so special.”

Bryant has already surpassed last season’s win total (nine), and the Bulldogs have tied their conference win total (three) from a year ago with still at least 10 games (conference tournament included) remaining – including Thursday’s battle with UMBC, a team Bryant lost to back on Jan. 6 (64-63).

Regardless of how the rest Kokoski’s first year transpires, there’s no question it can already be deemed a success. Almost every game she runs into former teammates or players she’s either played with or coaches at Bryant. Kokoski has witnessed the support from her peers who are just happy to see her coaching first-hand, and it’s something she never would have imagined.

And best believe, that same fire and energy she brought to the court during her playing days with the Falcons and Bulldogs? It hasn’t gone anywhere.

It’s now with her on the sidelines.

“I talk to my players a lot about that when I get mad or heated about a certain situation, I’m like, ‘Guys, I’m not mad at you. It’s just my passion and my want to turn the program around,’” Kokoski said. “I’m excited to get us on a winning track… There will be ups and downs, it won’t be easy, but I promise them it’ll be worth it when we’re jumping up and down celebrating while cutting down that net.”

Tirrell named assistant/defensive line coach for UMass football

Earlier this week, the UMass football program announced that Stephen Tirrell has shifted on the staff to an assistant coach – with a specific focus on the defensive line. Tirrell first joined the Minutemen in November 2021 as the Special Assistant to the head coach.

Tirrell has spent his career all across the New England area, and spent six seasons as head coach of Dean College from 2015-2021. He used his near three-decade coaching career to help lead Dean to a conference championship after turning the Bulldogs program from a junior college team to a Division III powerhouse. In 2019, Tirrell earned Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) Coach of the Year honors for his efforts in leading Dean to an ECFC regular season championship.

Tirrell’s experience as both a player (at Plymouth State) and coach should be extremely valuable for Don Brown and the UMass football team.

UMass hires new Senior Executive Director of Development

Also earlier in the week, the UMass Athletic Department announced the hiring of Drew St. Aubin as the new Senior Executive Director of Development and Chief Development Officer. Per UMass’ press release, Aubin will “oversee the day-to-day operations of the athletic development unit.”

St. Aubin lands in Amherst after spending over six years at Purdue University, where he was most recently the Assistant Athletic Director of Major Gifts. While with the Boilermakers, St. Aubin closed over 100 major gifts, which amassed $18 million. He also was led fundraising for a new video board for both the Purdue baseball and softball programs, and closed the deal on a $3 million cash gift supporting the Boilermaker basketball programs.

"My family and I are very excited to be joining the UMass community,” St. Aubin told UMass athletics. “I am very appreciative of Ryan Bamford, Dave Biancamano and UMAF leadership for this incredible opportunity.  The Minutemen Club staff will continue to work extremely hard to build genuine relationships to maintain and grow the support of student-athletes at the University of Massachusetts. I look forward to spending a lot of time with the donors and fans of UMass Athletics!"