ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University athletic department is excited to announce the promotion of assistant coach Victoria Nguyen to head women's basketball coach effective immediately. Coach Nguyen takes over for Taylor Stinson who left to pursue other job opportunities. 

"I am excited to announce the promotion of our assistant women's basketball coach, Victoria Nguyen, to the position of head women's basketball coach," Director of Athletics Jason Mulligan stated. "Coach Vic has proven to be an outstanding coach and recruiter over the past four years. Her preparation and organization has been seen in her role as an assistant coach for the women's basketball and women's volleyball programs, as well as in her role as the Director of the Seaver Center. We look forward to seeing our women's basketball program take the next step under her guidance." 

"I am very thankful and indebted to those who have supported me throughout my life and have helped prepare me for this amazing opportunity," Coach Nguyen stated. "I am excited to continue to grow with this program and to be a part of the lives of some amazing young women. I look forward to seeing where we can go with this group and what the future holds for the RU women's basketball program."

Just prior to being promoted to head coach, Nguyen served as an assistant coach for the RU women's basketball program for four seasons. With Nguyen on staff, the program saw substantial growth in multiple areas. The roster size increased to the point of establishing a jv program, and the Regents had their most successful season in a decade. Rockford finished the 2021-22 season with a 16-11 overall record, which was the most wins since 2005-06 (21-7), won nine NACC games, the most since 2010-11 (10-7), qualified for the NACC Tournament for the first time since 2013 and hosted and won a NACC Tournament game for the first time in program history. Additionally, Nguyen helped coach one of the most dominant players the RU women's basketball program has ever seen. Anaya Davis finished her freshman year ranked in the top 10 in the country in six different categories, including leading all NCAA Division III women's basketball players in double-doubles (21) and offensive rebounds per game (6.8).

Nguyen also serves as the director of the Seaver Center and spent one season as the assistant coach for the women's volleyball program. As the director of the Seaver Center, Nguyen oversees the operation and staffing of the building. This includes the usage of the main competition court and the scheduling of the fitness center. During her season as an assistant coach for the RU women's volleyball program, the team took a step forward and had one of its best seasons in ten years.

Prior to entering the coaching ranks, Nguyen began her stellar collegiate playing career as a point guard at Dean College. Nguyen was named the Michelle Porter Female Athlete of the Year and was selected an NJCAA Division II Second Team All-American for the 2014-15 season. She then transferred to Florida A&M University (NCAA Division I) for her final two seasons. The Rattlers went 9-7 in conference play both of those years and qualified for the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament each time. Nguyen was also voted the Newcomer of the Year as a junior, and then earned the Sixth Man of the Year award as a senior.

"I would like to thank Coach Stinson for his time here at Rockford University," Mulligan added. I wish him and his family all the best moving forward."

Coach Stinson left Rockford after spending eight years combined as a player and assistant coach for the men's basketball program, and then four years as the head women's basketball coach. During his time as a head coach, Stinson led the Regents to their first NACC Tournament appearance since 2013 and Rockford's first ever NACC Tournament win. Over that span, Rockford had 31 NACC Scholar-Athletes, five NACC Players of the Week, three All-NACC performers, one CSC Academic All-District honoree, one All-Region selection and one Region Rookie of the Year. 

The RU women's basketball team opens its 2023-24 season on the road on Wednesday, November 8 at Mount Mary University. Tip-off is set for 7 PM. The ladies will begin the home portion of their schedule on Saturday, November 25 against Elmhurst University. Tip-off for that matchup is set for 2 PM in the Seaver Center.