WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford Director of Athletics Mary Ellen Gillespie has announced that Kim McNeill has resigned as head coach of the women's basketball team to take over the same position at East Carolina University.
 
"I would like to thank Kim for all that she has done to take Hartford women's basketball to the next level," said Gillespie. "East Carolina is getting an outstanding coach, and an even more special person and family. We will miss the McNeill family, and will certainly follow Kim's career. We wish her all the very best."
 
In three years at the helm of the Hawks, McNeill helped Hartford reclaim its reputation as one of the top teams in the America East. Becoming the fastest coach in program history to win 50 games, she amassed 59 victories during her coaching debut — the most in a three-year stretch since 2009-12 — in addition to piloting the Hawks to their first 20-plus win season in six years in 2018-19.
 
Three conference tournament runs, including back-to-back America East Championship appearances in 2018 and 2019, also highlighted McNeill's career. This past season, she guided the Hawks to the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT), marking the program's first postseason bid since 2013.
 
Defense was a hallmark for McNeill's teams at Hartford. This past season, the Hawks finished No. 2 in the NCAA in steals per game, turnovers forced and turnover margin, marking the third time in as many years that the team ranked among the top-10 in both steals and turnover margin. In addition, McNeill squad ranked first among the America East in scoring in 2016-17 after averaging a school-record 66.8 points per game, while in 2017-18, the team dished out a program-record 441 assists.

McNeill was also instrumental in player development during her stint with the Hawks. Fourteen of her players were named to America East All-Conference Teams, including junior Sierra DaCosta, who became the first Hartford player to win a major award since Diana Delva was tabbed Player of the Year in 2010 after winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2017. In addition, senior Lindsey Abed became the first Hawk to earn First Team honors from the league since 2010 under McNeill's leadership.
 
Highlighting the returners for the Hawks next season is DaCosta, who took home Third Team All-Conference honors in 2018-19, and sophomore Jade Young, who was named to the Second Team and All-Defensive Team.
 
A national search for Hartford's next head women's basketball coach will begin immediately.