The University of Redlands and Bulldog Athletics welcome Ashley Lona as the full-time Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, effectively immediately.
"I want to thank Coach Murphy for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to be a part of the Bulldog family. I am both inspired and impressed by what this program has done under his leadership," Lona stated. "I can't wait to get to work and help build something special here at Redlands."
Lona arrives at Redlands after serving as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations at Southern Illinois University, where she organized team travel, facilitated student-athlete academic success, enhanced alumni correspondence, and participated in fundraising, among other duties.
She becomes the second full-time assistant coach in Head Coach Rich Murphy's tenure, following Denise Bennett's resignation to become the Head Coach at Cal State Maritime earlier this year.
Outside of basketball, Lona brings unique knowledge as a certified personal trainer and performance exercise specialist. She completed her Master of Science in Exercise and Sport Leadership from Montana State University Billings as the graduate assistant women's basketball coach for the Yellowjackets. She gained recruiting, player development, scouting, and video breakdown experience during her two-year stint.
She also enhanced her coaching knowledge by working as a private basketball coach and volunteering with the men's team at Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota. She competed as a three-year member of the NSU women's team while earning her Bachelor of Science in Sports Marketing and Administration.
"I'm excited to work with Ashley to continue our winning tradition in the women's basketball program," stated Head Coach Rich Murphy. "She has a wealth of knowledge at all levels and is ready and willing to put in the work necessary to help in all aspects of the basketball team. I know we will benefit greatly in having her join us."
The Bulldog women's basketball team won the 2019-20 Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Postseason Tournament title before upsetting the eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks in the first round of the NCAA Division III Championships for an unforgettable season.