The University at Albany has selected Kelly Morrone to take over as head coach of their women’s basketball program.
Morrone comes to Albany after leading Merrimack for six years, where she coached in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. This past season earned her recognition as the 2026 MAAC Coach of the Year when the Warriors posted a 19-13 overall record and went 15-5 in conference play, earning a spot in the women’s NIT before falling to NJIT in the opening round.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position of head women’s basketball coach at the University at Albany,” Morrone stated on Saturday. “I’ve long admired the tradition and pride of the Great Danes, and I am deeply grateful to be entrusted with this important opportunity. It is a privilege to lead a program with such strong institutional support and a clear commitment to excellence.”
During her time at Merrimack, Morrone compiled a 74-92 coaching record while guiding the program through its transition from Division II to Division I competition.
Before joining Merrimack, she achieved success at John Carroll University, a Division III school located in University Heights, Ohio, where she won 117 games.
As a player, Morrone competed at South Carolina, serving as team captain for three seasons before her collegiate career concluded with a second-round NCAA Tournament loss in 2003. Her coaching journey began with assistant positions at Buffalo from 2005-08, followed by coaching stops at Davidson (2008-10), Rhode Island (2010-12), and William & Mary (2012-13) prior to taking the John Carroll position.
Morrone steps in to replace Colleen Mullen, who recently departed to take the head coaching position at Rhode Island. Under Mullen’s eight-year leadership, the Great Danes reached the NCAA Tournament once, though the program had previously enjoyed sustained success in the America East Conference.
From 2012 through 2017, Albany earned six straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
