The vacancy left by former women’s head basketball coach Al Aldridge on March 9 was filled this afternoon.
Eric Harper was announced as the new head coach for the women’s basketball team today. Harper has coached college basketball for nearly 18 years and is not a stranger to the NWAC, having led Yakima Valley Community College to a championship in 2003 and receiving the NWAC Coach of the Year Award for his efforts.
Harper would later serve as an assistant coach during Clark’s 2013-2014 men’s basketball season.
Harper also spent eight years as an assistant coach at PSU and helped lead the team to their first NCAA tournament appearance in 2007-2008.
With this resume, Athletic Director Ann Walker thinks Harper was the best choice for the head coaching position.
“It was a no-brainer,” Walker said.
While earning his bachelor’s degree in Biology, Harper played for both Wenatchee Valley and Central Washington University.
Taking on the head coaching position is a daunting task but Harper expressed his excitement to get started recruiting and learning the dynamics of his six returning players.
“It’s my job as coach to make sure that these players are in a position to succeed,” Harper said. “Before I do that I need to evaluate and see where we are at.”
