GREENSBORO, N.C. – Former Longwood assistant coach Gayle Coats has joined the UNCG women's basketball staff in the same capacity for the upcoming season, Spartan coach Wendy Palmer announced Thursday.

Coats comes to UNCG after spending the last four seasons at NCAA Division I independent Longwood University in Farmville, Va.

"I'm thrilled to add Gayle Coats to our staff," Palmer said. "She brings a lot of energy, passion, desire and determination to this team. She works really hard, and she has a great mind for the game. She's going to do well here at UNCG. She's a great addition to the team, and the kids will learn a lot from her."

At Longwood, Coats served as recruiting coordinator and coached and recruited three All-Independent selections, one All-Newcomer and two honorable mention selections. She was part of a staff that helped guide the Lancers to 16 wins in 2007-08, the most wins the school has had at the Division I level.

Before beginning her collegiate coaching career at Longwood, Coats served a one-year stint as an assistant video coordinator for the WNBA's New York Liberty in 2007.

A Richmond, Va., native, Coats played collegiately at Fairleigh Dickinson, serving as a co-captain as a senior and earning All-Northeast Conference Academic Team honors three times. She earned her bachelor's degree in business management from FDU in 2007, graduating magna cum laude.

Coats served as an AAU head coach from 2002-07, directing teams in Virginia and New Jersey. She also served as a basketball trainer and assistant strength coach at U-Turn Sports Performance Academy in Richmond from 2003-04.

"I'm very excited to join the staff at UNCG and work for Wendy Palmer," Coats said. "I'm looking forward to helping build on the outstanding tradition that's been established here for many years."

Coats will assume her duties immediately.

- UNCG -