WNBA Champ Trina Frierson Joins Lady Demons as Assistant Coach
Aug. 24, 2005
NATCHITOCHES, La. -- Trina Frierson, one of the top scorers in Louisiana Tech women's basketball history before helping the Seattle Storm win the 2004 WNBA championship, has been hired as an assistant coach at Northwestern State.
Lady Demon basketball coach Jennifer Graf announced the hiring, which is contingent upon approval by the Board of Supervisors of the University of Louisiana system. Frierson replaces all-time Lady Demon great Kia Converse, who resigned last month after four seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater. Frierson joins returning assistants David Aguilar and Kyle Bobbitt on Graf's coaching staff.
"When Trina indicated she was interested, I was excited because I knew about her accomplishments as a player. When I got to meet her and got to know her, I was even more excited," said Graf. "She is extremely impressive personally, has a great understanding of the game and how it fits into the lives of the young ladies in our program, and she's a wonderful addition to Lady Demon basketball."
Frierson wrapped up a two-year professional career this spring after a stellar four-year (1999-2004) tenure at Louisiana Tech, where she ranks 15th all-time in scoring (1,581 points) despite battling knee problems throughout her career.
She played for Basketball Hall of Fame coach Leon Barmore and Kurt Budke while a Lady Techster. Her Louisiana Tech teams compiled a 114-14 record in her four seasons.
Frierson was a Naismith Award national Player of the Year candidate three times (2001, 2002, 2003), was a two-time first-team All-Western Athletic Conference and All-Louisiana selection, and was team captain. She posted career averages of 12.4 points, 6.0 rebounds, 50.2 field goal percentage, 73.1 free throw aim and started 67 of 127 games.
"I've got a love of the game of basketball and I want to transfer it to teaching what I know to the players in the Lady Demon program," said Frierson. "I had heard a lot about Northwestern's program while I was in college because they've been so successful here, with championships and winning streaks and 20-win seasons. Coach Barmore and the retired coach here, Coach (James) Smith, are good friends.
What I really loved when I came to visit was that it feels like a family here, and even as a visitor, that comes across right away," she said. "I was overwhelmed when Coach Graf called and offered me the chance to join her coaching staff."
Frierson, a native of Vicksburg, Miss., was a two-time Nike All-American in high school. After she recovered from knee surgery during her second season at Louisiana Tech, she was invited to the 2001 USA Basketball Women's National Team Trials in Colorado Springs. Following her collegiate career, she was a second-round WNBA Draft pick.
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