Experts

There was no better fit for the University of Maryland women's basketball team than head coach Brenda Frese.  Though great expectations have been placed on the 2002 Associated Press National Coach of the Year, she has not disappointed, reviving a once-prominent women's basketball program back to national prominence.  Frese has balanced a high-work rate, which has resulted in five-straight top-10 recruiting classes and a national championship, with fostering a fun and family-friendly environment, also becoming a wife and the mother of twin boys, giving birth to them in the midst of one of the most successful seasons in the program's history.  With the birth of her twins in February, she becomes one of only six coaches to win a national championship and be a parent.

Since her first season at the helm when the team won just 10 games, Frese has guided Maryland to a National Championship in 2006, five winning seasons, four-straight 20-win seasons, including two 30-win campaigns, and five-consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament.  In 2006-2007, Maryland also received it's first-ever No. 1 preseason national ranking, remaining in the top spot in the polls for 10-consecutive weeks.

"This has been an incredible journey and winning the national championship in 2006 was just the beginning," said Frese.  "My coaching staff and I had the belief we could win a national championship here at Maryland.  With all the administrative support, the first-class facilities - we knew we could build something great.  We did not set any timetables, but what we have achieved so far...it's beyond expectations"

Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow courted the 2002 Associated Press National Coach of the Year because of Frese's reputation for making amazing turnarounds and her relentless work ethic with recruiting.  Described as dynamic, overachieving, determined and enthusiastic, the 38-year old coach is one of college basketball's rising stars.  Standing atop the podium in Boston in 2006, Frese became the fifth-youngest coach at age 35.