RIVERDALE, N.Y.-Brainerd High School graduate Heather (Kappes) Vulin, an assistant coach at Virginia Tech, was named head coach of the Manhattan College Jaspers Monday.
Vulin was an integral part of successful programs at Villanova and Sacred Heart before joining the Hokies.
"I am incredibly honored to be the next head women's basketball coach at Manhattan College," Vulin said in a news release." It's a dream come true not only to be the next head coach but also to be going to a place that is perfect fit for me. I love the fact that it is a Lasallian Catholic mission-based college. I've had success at similar colleges and coupled with the fact that it is located in New York City I believe that I will continue to attract quality student-athletes that will compete for championships."
A 16-year coaching veteran, including 12 as a recruiting coordinator, Vulin has had success at every institution as is evident with 14 winning seasons. She has coached in the NEC, Big East and ACC, most recently helping Virginia Tech to a 7-game improvement from the previous year and an invitation to the WNIT.
"We are thrilled to bring a coach of Heather's caliber to Riverdale," Marianne Reilly, Manhattan College Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, said in a news release. "She has proven to be an outstanding recruiter and has had success at every stop. Heather is a great fit not only for our program but also for our college and will do a fantastic job of teaching and developing our student-athletes while bringing a new brand of basketball to Draddy Gymnasium."
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Prior to working with the Hokies, Vulin spent seven years (2008-2015) as the recruiting coordinator at Villanova where she was an integral force in the program advancing to a pair of NCAA Tournaments and three WNIT appearances.
Vulin also spent six successful seasons (2002-2008) at Sacred Heart, helping the Pioneers to their first NCAA Tournament berth in 2006 while overseeing recruitment of the 2009 squad that posted a perfect league record en route to the program's second NCAA appearance.
She began her coaching career at North Dakota State, where she spent two seasons from 2000-2002 under the direction of Hall of Fame Coach Amy Ruley where she helped the Bison qualify for the 2001 NCAA Division II Tournament.
A former two-sport student-athlete, she graduated from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1999 before earning her master's degree from North Dakota State in 2003.
