Former Penn assistant is named to lead CU women's basketball

Dayna Smith, an assistant coach at the University of Pennsylvania, has been named head women's basketball coach at Cornell.

"We're excited to have Dayna join the Cornell family," said Andy Noel, Cornell director of athletics. "She brings a solid background of success, a strong work ethic and an intimate knowledge of the Ivy League. Her enthusiasm and energy are important in maintaining our program's climb toward the top of the conference standings."

Smith, a native of Pittsburgh, becomes the seventh head women's basketball coach at the university. She replaces Marnie Dacko, who accepted the head coaching job at the University of Massachusetts in April.

"I am very honored to be named head coach at Cornell," Smith said. "This is an exciting opportunity for me as Cornell is a prestigious institution that is committed to excellence in the classroom and on the court. I am looking forward to continuing the success the women's basketball program has experienced over the last few years and pushing that success to new heights on an annual basis."

Smith spent the last three seasons as an assistant coach at Penn, helping Cornell's Ivy League rival to the 2000-01 league crown.

Before accepting the position at Penn, Smith held a similar position at her alma mater, the University of Rhode Island.

During her student career at Rhode Island, Smith was one of the top point guards in Atlantic 10 history. She is one of only 11 players in Division I history to score more than 1,000 points and record 750 assists. She ranks among the NCAA's top 20 all-time in career assists (20th, 793) and assists per game (12th, 7.14).

A member of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, Smith received her degree in business management from Rhode Island in 1996.