Aug. 2, 2010
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFAthletics.com) - The UCF women's basketball team has hired Richard Fortune to round out the program's coaching staff, head coach Joi Williams announced Monday. Fortune joins the Knights program as an assistant coach after working as a coach with Boo Williams AAU in Hampton, Va., since 2008.
"We are excited to welcome Richard to our staff," said head coach Joi Williams. "He is a talented coach with a diverse background in the game of basketball, and we look forward to his contributions to all facets of our program."
Fortune has also worked previously as an assistant men's basketball coach at Virginia State (2004-05) and as the head boys' coach at Carolina High School (2001-04) in Milford, Va. He was named the Battlefield District Coach of the Year and The Free Lance Star All-Area Coach of the Year in 2004.
"Coach Williams has given me the opportunity to coach at a great school both academically and athletically," said Fortune. [Director of Athletics Keith Tribble] totally supports the program and has provided the men's and women's programs with outstanding facilities. I truly believe UCF will continue to grow and be a force to be reckoned with. I am very grateful for this opportunity."
The Knights will return all five starters at UCF from the 2009-10 season, including leading scorer Chelsie Wiley (Riviera Beach, Fla.). Wiley, who has scored 1,069 points and made 134 three-pointers in her career, will be one of five seniors on an experienced UCF squad.
The program will be appearing in the 2010 Preseason Women's National Invitational Tournament for the first time to open the 2010-11 season, playing at Florida on Nov. 13.