American University Director of Athletics Dr. Billy Walker has announced the hiring of Megan Gebbia as American's new women's basketball head coach.

"I am tremendously excited to announce Megan Gebbia as American University's Head Women's Basketball Coach," said Walker. "Megan clearly shares our department's philosophy regarding the value of intercollegiate athletics as a complement to the University's academic mission.  She also clearly expressed her belief in the critical role athletics can play in the overall educational process and character development of our student-athletes."

Gebbia will lead the Eagles after spending the last 10 seasons at Marist College, serving as the Associate Head Coach for the past seven seasons. She has aided in the development of 36 student-athletes who have earned accolades in their career from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association, including 10 All-MAAC honorees and five major award winners.

"I am extremely excited about getting my first head coaching position at American University," said Gebbia. "I am grateful to our President, Dr. Kerwin, and our athletics director, Dr. Billy Walker, for this opportunity to be a part of an outstanding university that attracts quality student-athletes. This is an exciting time to be a part of the AU community and I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead."

Gebbia has been a part of eight straight and nine overall MAAC Championship teams. In 2006-07, Marist upset Ohio State and Middle Tennessee State on its way to the school's first-ever Sweet Sixteen appearance. The team became just the third No. 13 seed in NCAA history to make it to the round of 16.

"Coach Gebbia's record both on and off the court is nothing short of breathtaking," Walker added. "In ten years at Marist College, she helped lead her team to ten consecutive 20-win seasons including the program's first two 30-win seasons. She has been to the NCAA tournament nine times, winning five tournament games in the last seven years--including a trip to the Sweet Sixteen. Her overall record while at Marist is 264-64...an unbelievable 200 games over .500. I couldn't be happier to welcome Megan to the American Eagles family!"

Prior to joining Marist, Gebbia served as an assistant at Wright State for the 2002-03 season and was in the same role at UMBC from 1996-2002. While at UMBC, she was responsible for signing two Street and Smith All-American honorable mentions, a conference Rookie of the Year and two All-Conference selections. She also served as an assistant at American under Jeff Thatcher for the 1995-96 season, in which the Eagles went 16-12.

Gebbia began her coaching career at her alma mater, Towson, and served as team captain of the Tigers' squad during her senior season. She is a native of Frederick, Md.