USF Athletics

Fernandez Named Court Coach For USA Basketball U18 National Team Trials

May 08, 2018

TAMPA, MAY 8, 2018 – USF women's basketball head coach Jose Fernandez has been selected to serve as a court coach at the 2018 USA Basketball Women's U18 National Team Trials.
 
Fernandez and University of Georgia head coach Joni Taylor were selected to assist the USA U18 coaching staff of Jeff Walz (Louisville), Natasha Adair(Delaware) and Cori Close during the trials held May 26-28 at the United States Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The trials will be used to determine finalists for the 2018 USA Women's U18 National Team that will compete in the 2018 FIBA Americas U18 Championship (site and dates are to be announced). Finalists for the team are expected to be announced on May 28.
 
"Jose and Joni will be great additions to the USA women's U18 trials staff," said Jennifer Rizzotti (George Washington University), chair of the USA Basketball Women's Junior National Team Committee, which is responsible for selecting players and coaches for USA women's U18 and U19 teams. "They complement the U18 coaches well, and our talented group of athletes will be fortunate to have their expertise as court coaches. Jose has been a proven winner over the course of 18 years at USF, and Joni is an up and coming talent in our game."
 
Having completed his 18^th season leading the USF program, Fernandez will enter his first USA Basketball assignment as a court coach at the 2018 USA Women's U18 National Team Trials. The winningest coach in program history, he has compiled a 335-243 record (.580 winning percentage), including six NCAA Tournament appearances. He has led the Bulls to 14 postseason appearances, including a 2009 WNIT championship.  
 
"It is truly an honor to be selected to be a part of USA basketball," Fernandez said. "I am extremely excited to work with the U18 coaching staff and the incredible athletes that will be representing our country this summer. I believe the opportunity to coach USA basketball is one of the pinnacles in our coaching profession, and I am grateful and thankful for this opportunity.
 
In 2017-18, Fernandez guided USF to a 26-8 record, the Bulls' sixth-straight season with at least 20 wins, and a fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance as he was named the 2018 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.  
 
"I hope to assist the U18 coaching staff with great energy, enthusiasm and passion," Fernandez added. "I think it's going to be an amazing experience working with Jeff, Cori, Natasha and Joni."
 
About USA Basketball
Based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and chaired by retired Gen. Martin Dempsey, USA Basketball is a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for basketball in the United States. As the recognized governing body for basketball in the U.S. by the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), USA Basketball is responsible for the selection, training and fielding of USA national teams that compete in FIBA-sponsored five-on-five and 3x3 international competitions, as well as for some national competitions and for the development of youth basketball.
 
About USF Women's Basketball
USF notched its sixth consecutive 20-win season and fourth straight NCAA Tournament appearance in 2017-18. It marked the ninth 20-win season in program history, with head coach Jose Fernandez at the helm for all nine. The Bulls posted 26 wins in 2017-18, just shy of the program record of 27 set in 2008-09 and 2014-15.
 
USF has made 14 postseason tournament appearances and had six NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez's 18 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to nine 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship and won more than 300 games.
 
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