MUNCIE, Ind.—Kelly Packard, former coach of the Colorado Chill of the National Women’s Basketball League and a longime assistant at Colorado State, was hired Monday as the women’s coach at Ball State.
She succeeds Tracy Roller, who resigned last month for personal reasons.
Packard, a 1990 graduate of nearby Anderson University, compiled a 34-12 record with the Chill in 2004-06, winning league championships both seasons.
She previously was an assistant at Colorado State in 1991-93 and again in 1996-99, helping the Rams to a 33-3 record and an NCAA regional tourney appearance in 1999.
“In the interview process I felt very comfortable,” Packard said of coming back to Indiana. “I’ve studied everything I could about the young ladies in this program. It’s a great day. When you can align healthy leadership and a great community, I’ve been given another great opportunity.”
Packard played four years at Anderson and finished as the school’s career leader in scoring and rebounding. She was inducted into the university’s Hall of Fame in 2002.
“I never set out to be a professional coach. My mind is more of a college coach,” she said. “I say that because I am so into the details. I’m still into the details of the fundamentals. When teaching in college, we teach at a more fundamental level.”
