By Kevin Jacobsen, Staff writer

kjacobsen@observer-reporter.com

California University president Dr. Angelo Armenti, Jr. didn't need to look far to find a replacement for Darcie Vincent, who resigned as the Vulcans women's head basketball coach to take the same position at Appalachian State.

Armenti announced Wednesday that California associate head coach Heather Kearney will replace Vincent, becoming the school's fourth head women's basketball coach.

In another local coaching hire, Waynesburg University announced Sam Jones will become the Yellow Jackets' new head women's basketball coach.

"There was no search," said California athletic director Tom Pucci. "When someone stays with one program and contributes as long as she has, you give her the chance to stay. It was the president's decision and I'm glad it worked out the way it did."

At California, Kearney served as an assistant coach under Vincent for eight years, including the last four as associate head coach. Kearney's coaching career started under Vincent at Slippery Rock, where Kearney is still the school's all-time leader in points (1,760) and rebounds (949).

Kearney will have some large shoes to fill.

During Vincent's tenure, the Vulcans won six PSAC West titles, four PSAC championships and three NCAA Elite Eight championships. California qualified for the NCAA Tournament the last seven seasons and made the Final Four twice, including winning the national championship in 2004.

If anyone can duplicate Vincent's accomplishments, it's Kearney, who had almost as big a role in California's success as Vincent.

She inherits a team that went 27-7, reached the NCAA Division II Elite Eight and did not lose any significant players to graduation. The Vulcans return a core of players, including PSAC West Rookie of the Year Kayla Smith, Lindsay Johnson, Brooque Williams and Crystal Andrews.

"She's going to have her own personality and she has the respect of the players," Pucci said. "There won't be any transition. It's a great situation. Hopefully we have the success we did last year. Or even more."

Jones replaces Terry Acker, who coached the Yellow Jackets for nine years. Jones served as an assistant coach on both the men's and women's basketball teams at Mount Union for the last four years. He takes over a program at Waynesburg that won just one game last season.

At Grenville Christian College, a high school-level institution in Ontario, Jones took over the boys basketball coach in 2000, one year after assuming the head coaching duties of the girls basketball team. He also coached men's volleyball and track and field at Grenville.

"I've been dreaming of this for 10 years," said Jones, "and Waynesburg offers the perfect jump start to what hopefully is a long and successful career."

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