Rockford University has hired of Taylor Stinson as its new head women’s basketball coach. Stinson takes over the women’s program after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach for the RU men’s basketball team. Stinson becomes the 13th head coach in program history.
“Coach Stinson was an obvious choice to take over as the head coach of our women’s basketball program,” said Director of Athletics Jason Mulligan. “His familiarity with the program and the university will be an advantage as we transition, and his leadership and knowledge of the game will help to further advance the women’s basketball program at Rockford University.”
As an assistant for the RU men, Stinson oversaw the team’s strength and conditioning program, scouting of opponents, film breakdown, the development of perimeter players and was a key figure in the recruitment process. The men’s basketball program saw steady improvement over the last four years since Stinson joined the staff. The Regents won no fewer than eight NACC games in each season, including the team’s first winning record in conference play since the 2008-09 season. Additionally, Stinson helped guide the Regents to their first trip to the conference tournament this year since the 2012-13 season. With Stinson on staff, the Regents have had 21 NACC Scholar-Athletes, six All-NACC performers, two NACC Defensive Players of the Year, two NACC All-Freshman Team selections, one All-Region selection, one CoSIDA Academic All-District selection, one CoSIDA Academic All-American and a Jostens Trophy Finalist.
“I am appreciative and excited to become the new women’s coach,” Stinson said. “I am a proud alum who believes that Rockford University is a special place and am honored to move into my new position.
Stinson’s four-year playing career as a Regent included both individual and team success. During his time on the court, Rockford earned three berths in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference Tournament, including a trip to the semifinals in 2008-09. Stinson was also a key component in helping turn around a Rockford program that went 1-24 in 2007-08, to a team that finished the 2008-09 season with a 17-10 record and earned the third seed in the NACC Tournament.
Individually, Stinson holds multiple records both at Rockford University and in the NACC. Stinson’s ten made three-pointers against North Central University still stands as the current RU record. He is also the Rockford University record holder for three-point attempts in a game (17), in a season (218) and in a career (665). At the conference level, Stinson is the NACC career record holder for three-point attempts (665) and is second in made three-pointers (238).