Walsh hires Valparaiso assistant Mark Schwitzgable as women's basketball head coach

NORTH CANTON — Walsh University announced the hiring of Mark Schwitzgable as the university's new head women's basketball coach.

Schwitzgable spent the past three seasons as an assistant coach Valparaiso. He replaces Kate Bruce, who left Walsh to become the head coach of NCAA Division I IUPUI.

"I could not be more excited to be the next head women's basketball coach for the Walsh Cavaliers," Schwitzgable said in a statement. " ... I am looking forward to continuing the level of success that this women's basketball program has established as an annual contender in the GMAC, and I am eager to become a part of the community here in North Canton."

Schwitzgable attended Ohio University and was a graduate assistant on head women's basketball coach Bob Boldon's staff. He also spent two years at Urbana, serving as assistant women's basketball coach and head women's golf coach.

He takes over a Walsh program which enjoyed unprecedented success as an NCAA Division II team in Bruce's six seasons as the coach. She won 134 games to set a program record. She also led Walsh to four straight NCAA Division II Tournament berths, including a regional final appearance this past season. Her .757 winning percentage (134-43) ranks among the nation’s best.

"I know Mark will be able to build upon the previous success of the program and continue to elevate the program to new heights within the Great Midwest Athletic Conference, in the Midwest Region and NCAA Division II," interim vice president of athletics and athletic director Jason Fautas said in a release. "Mark brings a great deal of knowledge and passion to Walsh University which will help develop our student-athletes athletically, academically and in the community."

Schwitzgable becomes the 10th head coach in Walsh women's basketball history dating back to 1979.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Walsh University hires Mark as Schwitzgable women's basketball coach