By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech women's basketball head coach Kim Rosamond made the most of an extensive search for the final piece to her staff for the 2018-19 season, announcing the addition of Ethan McIlhargey as the new director of operations.
"This opportunity means a lot," McIlhargey said. "I think it's going to be pretty exciting to work under Coach Rosamond, who is very well-known in women's basketball, and watch her rebuild this program. Tennessee Tech has a rich history in women's basketball and that makes it even more exciting."
Rosamond added, "Ethan is the perfect fit for our program. He compliments our staff so well and his positive energy and servant heart are contagious. He has worked hard to prepare himself for this next step in his career and he immediately makes us better in so many ways."
McIlhargey joins the Golden Eagle staff after spending the 2017-18 season as a video coordinator at Stephen F. Austin under the tutelage of head coach Mark Kellogg. The Ladyjacks turned in a 25-7 season and 16-2 mark in Southland Conference play, earning the program's first ever at-large bid into the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).
In his role as video coordinator, McIlhargey broke down film for practice and games while assisting with scouting report preparation and day-to-day operations with the director of operations. He also put together a male practice squad of eight players while holding an active role in designing and distributing recruiting materials.
"I was a student assistant at the University of Idaho for five years," McIlhargey explained, "and that was an awesome experience, to work in a championship culture under Idaho's winningest coach in program history, Jon Newlee. I was fortunate to work this last year at Stephen F. Austin that had a rich basketball history, going back to great coaches in the past, like Sue Gunter and Gary Blair. It'll be fun to work at another school that is very historic and watch the program grow."
While earning his bachelor's of science in general studies from Idaho in 2017, McIlhargey spent five seasons working under head coach Jon Newlee, assisting with team film and video operations, travel, equipment, and social media efforts. From 2012-2017, the Vandals made three NCAA Tournament appearances while claiming the 2013 and 2014 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament titles and the 2016 Big Sky Conference Tournament title.
"I love that Ethan has such passion for women's basketball and he truly cares about the student-athlete experience," Rosamond said. "As coaches, our goal is to serve our players and help them be at their best each day. I have no doubts he will work relentlessly to help them grow on and off the court as young women."
A native of Kuna, Idaho, McIlhargey is currently pursuing his master's degree in mass communications.
"I looking forward to learning and growing under some great leaders," McIlhargey added. "I'm excited to see how far we can take this thing, because I do believe success is right around the corner."
Photo courtesy of Stephen F. Austin
