Multiple media sources indicate that Virginia Tech will announce later this week the hiring of Western Carolina's Beth Dunkenberger as the new head women's basketball coach. Dunkenberger, the 2002-03 Southern Conference Coach of the Year, was an assistant coach at Virginia Tech for nine years under former head coach Carol Alfano. She was born and raised in Shawsville and received a Master's degree from VT in 1990.

Dunkenberger. who received her undergraduate degree from Randolph-Macon, was the head coach at WCU for four years and compiled a 65-50 overall record. In Dunkenberger’s first season at WCU (2000-01), the Catamounts posted a 13-15 record, the program’s most wins in 12 seasons. WCU then went 17-11 in 2001-02, and in 2002-03, they tied a school record with 21 wins, going 21-7. WCU slipped to 14-17 this year in an injury-plagued season but advanced to the Southern Conference title game for the first time.

Between her nine-year stint at Virginia Tech and her four years at Western Carolina, Dunkenberger was an assistant coach at the University of Florida for three seasons. During one of those seasons, she served as their recruiting coordinator. Dunkenberger was on Florida's staff when the Gators knocked Bonnie Henrickson's Hokies out of the 1998 NCAA Tournament. Dunkenberger and Henrickson were assistants under Alfano and have remained friends since their time together at Virginia Tech.

A press conference is expected later this week, and the hiring will be announced then. We'll have more details and information at that time.

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