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University Heights Today
By the People, for the People
Kelly Morrone named women's basketball coach at Albany
Morrone spent the past six seasons as the head coach at Merrimack, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Apr. 5, 2026 at 4:49pm
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Albany announced the hiring of Kelly Morrone as the next women's basketball head coach. Morrone spent the past six seasons as the head coach at Merrimack, a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, where she was named 2026 MAAC Coach of the Year after the Warriors finished 19-13 (15-5 MAAC) and were selected to the women's NIT.
Why it matters
Albany's women's basketball program has a strong tradition, with six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances between 2012-17. Morrone's hiring is seen as an effort to return the Great Danes to that level of success after a period of relative struggle under the previous coach.
The details
Morrone's record at Merrimack was 74-92, but she led the program through its transition from Division II to Division I. Prior to Merrimack, she won 117 games as the head coach at Division III John Carroll University in Ohio. As a player, Morrone was a three-year captain at South Carolina, ending her career with a second-round loss in the 2003 NCAA Tournament.
- Morrone spent the past six seasons as the head coach at Merrimack.
- Morrone was named 2026 MAAC Coach of the Year.
The players
Kelly Morrone
The new women's basketball head coach at the University at Albany, where she replaces Colleen Mullen. Morrone previously spent six seasons as the head coach at Merrimack College, leading the program's transition from Division II to Division I.
Colleen Mullen
The former women's basketball head coach at the University at Albany, who recently accepted the same job at the University of Rhode Island. Mullen led the Great Danes to one NCAA Tournament berth in eight seasons.
What they’re saying
“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of head women's basketball coach at the University at Albany. I've long admired the tradition and pride of the Great Danes, and I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this important opportunity. It is a privilege to lead a program with such strong institutional support and a clear commitment to excellence.”
— Kelly Morrone, New women's basketball head coach, University at Albany
What’s next
Morrone will look to quickly rebuild the Albany women's basketball program and return it to the level of success it experienced in the early 2010s, when the Great Danes made six consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.
The takeaway
The hiring of Kelly Morrone as the new women's basketball head coach at Albany represents an opportunity for the program to regain its status as a consistent winner in the America East Conference. Morrone's track record of leading a program through a Division I transition, as well as her previous success at the Division III level, suggest she has the experience and expertise to revitalize the Great Danes' fortunes.
