Rutgers is hiring former Penn State women’s basketball head coach Coquese Washington in the same role, the team announced Monday night.

Washington and the program agreed to a six-year contract that guarantees $4.625 million, plus performance-based incentives.

“We are excited to welcome Coquese and her family to Rutgers,” Rutgers Athletic Director Pat Hobbs said. “It is important that the next leader of our women’s basketball program be someone with a proven track record of winning, exemplary leadership and great character. Coquese is the perfect fit on all those criteria.”

Washington had a successful tenure as the Lady Lions’ head coach from 2007 to 2019, compiling a record of 209-169. Her best years with the program came from 2011 to 2014, as she was named Big Ten Coach of the Year three times and led the Lady Lions to four consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. 

She played college basketball for Notre Dame from 1989 to 1993. She played in the WNBA for the New York Liberty, Houston Comets, and Indiana Fever from 1998 to 2003 and won a WNBA Championship with the Comets in 2000. 

Washington is returning to a head coaching position for the first time since she left Penn State in 2019. She had spent a year as an associate head coach for Oklahoma and another two seasons in that role for her alma mater, Notre Dame.