Duke head coach Joanne P. McCallie’s relationships with her players extend well beyond their years of eligibility.
This was proved once again Friday when the team announced the hiring of former Western Michigan assistant coach Rene Haynes to replace former assistant Candice Jackson, who became the head coach at the College of Charleston last month. This is the second time in the past three years McCallie has hired one of her former Michigan State players as an assistant coach. Jackson also played for McCallie from 2000-2004.
Haynes, a native of Columbus, Ohio, said she is excited to be working with her former mentor again, but this time on the sidelines.
"I am humbled and honored to be a part of the Duke family,” Haynes said. “As a player, I learned a lot from Coach [Joanne] P [McCallie] and dared to dream big. Playing for her was an amazing experience, including our great journey to the national championship game in 2005. I have always admired her leadership, passion, dedication and values. She has been an influence in my passion for the game and the desire to coach. I am excited to share some of my same experiences with our talented student-athletes. I want every day of this amazing opportunity to be a fresh start on expanding what is possible."
The former Spartan standout has a wealth of experience at all levels, most notably as graduate assistant at Florida State from 2011-12 and as an assistant coach at Western Michigan during the past two years. In addition to coaching at the collegiate level, Haynes returned to Columbus to coach middle and high school girls basketball.
Haynes, who played guard at Michigan State, will use her expertise to strengthen the Duke backcourt, which produced two WNBA first-round picks this season. She will also assist current assistant Hernando Planells in the recruiting process.
The Blue Devils have the nation’s number two incoming recruiting class according to a number of experts and return three of last year’s starters-- Ka’lia Johnson, Elizabeth Williams and Alexis Jones. They are expected to be ranked in the top 10 when polls are released this summer.
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