Eastern Michigan Athletics
EMU Names Tory Verdi Head Women’s Basketball Coach
4/26/2012 1:45:00 PM | Women's Basketball
New coach spent the last two years as an assistant coach at the University of Kansas
Complete Release (PDF).
Re-Watch the Press Conference.
Photo Gallery.
Coach Verdi Talks with the Media.
Coach Verdi Interview on All-Access.
Eagles in the News.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Tory Verdi (pronounced VER-dee), an assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Kansas for the past two years, has been named the new head women's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University, Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg announced today, April 26.
The 39-year old Verdi has strong ties throughout the Midwest and has worked at every level of women's basketball. An experienced coach at both the college and professional levels, he has been a part of 12 teams that have participated in the postseason since the 2001-02 campaign.
“We are excited about having Tory Verdi leading our women's basketball program into the future,” EMU Director of Athletics Gragg said of the addition of Verdi. “Tory is one of the most well-rounded assistant coaches I have encountered. Not only has he been an assistant at two Big 12 programs for women's basketball who advanced to the “Sweet 16” in recent years, he has also been an assistant in the WNBA and for a men's college basketball program as well. He is known as an outstanding recruiter and has been involved with winning programs everywhere he has been.”
In 2011-12, Kansas posted a 21-13 overall record and an 8-10 league mark to finish tied for sixth place in the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks were awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and then surprised the hoops world with wins in the first and second rounds to advance to the team's first NCAA “Sweet 16” since 1998.
The Jayhawks, who finished the season ranked No. 25 in the final USA Today/ESPN's Coaches Poll, knocked off 23rd ranked Texas, Jan. 4, for KU's first Big 12-opening victory since 2006 and the program's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2000. The squad would also go on to upset No. 21 Texas Tech, No. 17 Nebraska and No. 7 Delaware.
Directly working with the post players, Verdi helped Carolyn Davis earn first team All-Big 12 honors as well as garnering honorable mention All-America accolades from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She also became the 14th Jayhawk to amass at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career. Davis was named to the watch lists for the Naismith Wooden and Wade trophies, while ESPN.com called the 6-foot-3 post player one of the top five centers in America.
Meanwhile, Aishah Sutherland was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick after becoming just one of four players in the league to rank in the top 10 in the conference in both scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg). Fellow post player Tania Jackson grabbed academic honors from the league office as well.
Verdi was instrumental in getting Asia Boyd and Chelsea Gardner to decide to play in Lawrence, Kan. A product of Detroit's Renaissance High School, Boyd was the 39th-best player in the country in the 2011 recruiting class and the second-ranked player out of Michigan by ESPN's Hoopgurlz.com. Meanwhile, Gardner named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) All-State Team in 2010-11 while earning back-to-back all-district first team appointments.
In his first year at Kansas in 2010-11, he helped the team to a 21-13 (6-10 Big 12) mark and an appearance in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).
Before heading to KU, Verdi spent five seasons at former Big 12 foe Nebraska from 2005-10 as the offensive coordinator and post players' coach. While Verdi was on staff, the Cornhuskers completed their most successful season in school history in 2009-10, compiling a 32-2 record, a Big 12 regular-season title and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
That same season, Verdi coached Kelsey Griffin to first-team All-America status. Griffin, the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year, went on to become the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft after a decorated career at NU. The forward left the program as the Huskers' second-best rebounder and ranked No. 3 on the career scoring list. She also ranks in the top 10 for career scoring average and blocked shots.
Verdi's guidance also extended over to All-Big 12 performers Cory Montgomery and Danielle Page. When Griffin missed the entire 2008-09 season with an ankle injury, Montgomery stepped up to carry the load for the Huskers inside. Verdi helped develop Montgomery's game under the basket as she went on to rank among the top 10 players in the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding that season and was recognized by the league as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection. Following her senior season in 2009-10, when she was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, Montgomery left Nebraska as the school's No. 12 all-time scorer and 13th-best rebounder.
Page was also an eventual WNBA player who worked under Verdi's direction. After earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades in 2007-08, Page spent the 2008 WNBA season with the Connecticut Sun.
Prior to his stint at Nebraska, Verdi served as the interim head coach at Columbia University from February through April of 2005. He was the head assistant coach at Columbia from October 2004 until February 2005.
Before taking his position at Columbia, Verdi spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons as an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. He helped the Sun to the Eastern Conference title in 2004 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2003. He also spent time working as a special assistant for the Suns during the 2005 season before joining the Nebraska coaching staff.
In addition to his professional experience as a WNBA assistant, Verdi served as the head coach of the Springfield Spirit in the National Women's Professional Basketball League from October 2003 to April 2004.
Before joining the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in 2003, Verdi served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn. He helped WCSU to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002 and 2003.
He also served as a volunteer assistant men's coach at the University of Hartford from 1996 to 1997, after working as an assistant men's coach at his alma mater, Keene State College in New Hampshire, from 1995 to 1996.
Verdi was born in New Britain, Conn. He earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Keene State College in 1996, before adding a master's degree in computer technology from the University of Hartford in 2003.
He will be paid $165,000 annually with a $5,000 radio stipend as part of a five-year contract.
Verdi becomes the first male hired to lead the EMU women's basketball program in its 36-year history. Previously, Assistant Coach Shane Clipfell served as the team's acting head coach for 24 games during the 2006-07 campaign when then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave.
Verdi and his wife, Heather, have two sons, Tyler (8) and Bradyn (3), and a daughter Avery (5).
THE TORY VERDI FILE
Full Name: Salvatore P. Verdi
Born: Dec. 28, 1972 (New Britain, Conn.)
College: Keene State College (Graduated in 1996 - bachelor's in elementary education)
University of Hartford (Graduated in 2003 - master's in computer technology)
Family: Wife: Heather Sons: Tyler (8) and Bradyn (3) Daughter: Avery (5)
Postseason Coaching Experience:
2002 NCAA Division II Regionals, 2003 NCAA Division II First Round, 2003 WNBA Conference Finals, 2004 WNBA Finals, 2005 WNBA Finals, 2006 WNIT Third Round, 2007 NCAA Division I First Round, 2008 NCAA Division I Second Round, 2009 WNIT First Round, 2010 NCAA Division I “Sweet 16”, 2011 WNIT Second Round, 2012 NCAA Division I “Sweet 16”
Re-Watch the Press Conference.
Photo Gallery.
Coach Verdi Talks with the Media.
Coach Verdi Interview on All-Access.
Eagles in the News.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — Tory Verdi (pronounced VER-dee), an assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Kansas for the past two years, has been named the new head women's basketball coach at Eastern Michigan University, Director of Athletics Dr. Derrick Gragg announced today, April 26.
The 39-year old Verdi has strong ties throughout the Midwest and has worked at every level of women's basketball. An experienced coach at both the college and professional levels, he has been a part of 12 teams that have participated in the postseason since the 2001-02 campaign.
“We are excited about having Tory Verdi leading our women's basketball program into the future,” EMU Director of Athletics Gragg said of the addition of Verdi. “Tory is one of the most well-rounded assistant coaches I have encountered. Not only has he been an assistant at two Big 12 programs for women's basketball who advanced to the “Sweet 16” in recent years, he has also been an assistant in the WNBA and for a men's college basketball program as well. He is known as an outstanding recruiter and has been involved with winning programs everywhere he has been.”
In 2011-12, Kansas posted a 21-13 overall record and an 8-10 league mark to finish tied for sixth place in the Big 12 Conference. The Jayhawks were awarded an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and then surprised the hoops world with wins in the first and second rounds to advance to the team's first NCAA “Sweet 16” since 1998.
The Jayhawks, who finished the season ranked No. 25 in the final USA Today/ESPN's Coaches Poll, knocked off 23rd ranked Texas, Jan. 4, for KU's first Big 12-opening victory since 2006 and the program's first road win over a ranked opponent since 2000. The squad would also go on to upset No. 21 Texas Tech, No. 17 Nebraska and No. 7 Delaware.
Directly working with the post players, Verdi helped Carolyn Davis earn first team All-Big 12 honors as well as garnering honorable mention All-America accolades from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). She also became the 14th Jayhawk to amass at least 1,000 points and 500 rebounds in a career. Davis was named to the watch lists for the Naismith Wooden and Wade trophies, while ESPN.com called the 6-foot-3 post player one of the top five centers in America.
Meanwhile, Aishah Sutherland was an honorable mention All-Big 12 pick after becoming just one of four players in the league to rank in the top 10 in the conference in both scoring (13.9 ppg) and rebounding (8.9 rpg). Fellow post player Tania Jackson grabbed academic honors from the league office as well.
Verdi was instrumental in getting Asia Boyd and Chelsea Gardner to decide to play in Lawrence, Kan. A product of Detroit's Renaissance High School, Boyd was the 39th-best player in the country in the 2011 recruiting class and the second-ranked player out of Michigan by ESPN's Hoopgurlz.com. Meanwhile, Gardner named to the Texas Association of Basketball Coaches (TABC) All-State Team in 2010-11 while earning back-to-back all-district first team appointments.
In his first year at Kansas in 2010-11, he helped the team to a 21-13 (6-10 Big 12) mark and an appearance in the Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT).
Before heading to KU, Verdi spent five seasons at former Big 12 foe Nebraska from 2005-10 as the offensive coordinator and post players' coach. While Verdi was on staff, the Cornhuskers completed their most successful season in school history in 2009-10, compiling a 32-2 record, a Big 12 regular-season title and a trip to the NCAA Sweet 16.
That same season, Verdi coached Kelsey Griffin to first-team All-America status. Griffin, the 2010 Big 12 Player of the Year, went on to become the No. 3 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA Draft after a decorated career at NU. The forward left the program as the Huskers' second-best rebounder and ranked No. 3 on the career scoring list. She also ranks in the top 10 for career scoring average and blocked shots.
Verdi's guidance also extended over to All-Big 12 performers Cory Montgomery and Danielle Page. When Griffin missed the entire 2008-09 season with an ankle injury, Montgomery stepped up to carry the load for the Huskers inside. Verdi helped develop Montgomery's game under the basket as she went on to rank among the top 10 players in the Big 12 in both scoring and rebounding that season and was recognized by the league as an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention selection. Following her senior season in 2009-10, when she was named to the All-Big 12 First Team, Montgomery left Nebraska as the school's No. 12 all-time scorer and 13th-best rebounder.
Page was also an eventual WNBA player who worked under Verdi's direction. After earning All-Big 12 Honorable Mention accolades in 2007-08, Page spent the 2008 WNBA season with the Connecticut Sun.
Prior to his stint at Nebraska, Verdi served as the interim head coach at Columbia University from February through April of 2005. He was the head assistant coach at Columbia from October 2004 until February 2005.
Before taking his position at Columbia, Verdi spent the 2003 and 2004 seasons as an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. He helped the Sun to the Eastern Conference title in 2004 and the Eastern Conference finals in 2003. He also spent time working as a special assistant for the Suns during the 2005 season before joining the Nebraska coaching staff.
In addition to his professional experience as a WNBA assistant, Verdi served as the head coach of the Springfield Spirit in the National Women's Professional Basketball League from October 2003 to April 2004.
Before joining the WNBA's Connecticut Sun in 2003, Verdi served as an assistant men's basketball coach at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn. He helped WCSU to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances in 2002 and 2003.
He also served as a volunteer assistant men's coach at the University of Hartford from 1996 to 1997, after working as an assistant men's coach at his alma mater, Keene State College in New Hampshire, from 1995 to 1996.
Verdi was born in New Britain, Conn. He earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education from Keene State College in 1996, before adding a master's degree in computer technology from the University of Hartford in 2003.
He will be paid $165,000 annually with a $5,000 radio stipend as part of a five-year contract.
Verdi becomes the first male hired to lead the EMU women's basketball program in its 36-year history. Previously, Assistant Coach Shane Clipfell served as the team's acting head coach for 24 games during the 2006-07 campaign when then-Head Coach Suzy Merchant was on maternity leave.
Verdi and his wife, Heather, have two sons, Tyler (8) and Bradyn (3), and a daughter Avery (5).
THE TORY VERDI FILE
Full Name: Salvatore P. Verdi
Born: Dec. 28, 1972 (New Britain, Conn.)
College: Keene State College (Graduated in 1996 - bachelor's in elementary education)
University of Hartford (Graduated in 2003 - master's in computer technology)
Family: Wife: Heather Sons: Tyler (8) and Bradyn (3) Daughter: Avery (5)
| Intercollegiate Coaching Experience | |||
| YEAR | SCHOOL | JOB TITLE | RECORD |
| 2011-12 | University of Kansas | Assistant WBB Coach | 21-13; 8-10 Big XII |
| 2010-11 | University of Kansas | Assistant WBB Coach | 21-13; 6-10 Big XII |
| 2009-10 | University of Nebraska | Assistant WBB Coach | 32-2; 16-0 Big XII |
| 2008-09 | University of Nebraska | Assistant WBB Coach | 15-16; 6-10 Big XII |
| 2007-08 | University of Nebraska | Assistant WBB Coach | 21-12; 9-7 Big XII |
| 2006-07 | University of Nebraska | Assistant WBB Coach | 22-10; 10-6 Big XII |
| 2005-06 | University of Nebraska | Assistant WBB Coach | 19-13; 8-8 Big XII |
| 2005 | Connecticut Sun (WNBA) | Special Assistant | 26-8 |
| 2004-05 | Columbia University | Assistant Coach/Interim Head Coach | 12-15; 5-9 IVY |
| 2004 | Connecticut Sun (WNBA) | Assistant Coach | 18-16 |
| 2003 | Connecticut Sun (WNBA) | Assistant Coach | 18-16 |
| 2002-03 | Western Connecticut State Univ. | Assistant MBB Coach | 20-9 |
| 2001-02 | Western Connecticut State Univ. | Assistant MBB Coach | 21-7 |
| 1997-00 | Pomperaug (Conn.) High School | Head Boys Basketball Coach | |
| 1996-97 | University of Hartford | Volunteer Assistant MBB Coach | 17-11; 11-7 AE |
| 1995-96 | Keene State College | Assistant MBB Coach | 2-22 ; 0-20 NECC |
| OVERALL COLLEGIATE COACHING RECORD | 221-143 (.607) | ||
Postseason Coaching Experience:
2002 NCAA Division II Regionals, 2003 NCAA Division II First Round, 2003 WNBA Conference Finals, 2004 WNBA Finals, 2005 WNBA Finals, 2006 WNIT Third Round, 2007 NCAA Division I First Round, 2008 NCAA Division I Second Round, 2009 WNIT First Round, 2010 NCAA Division I “Sweet 16”, 2011 WNIT Second Round, 2012 NCAA Division I “Sweet 16”
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