ALBANY, N.Y. - University at Albany Director of Athletics Mark Benson announced Friday the extension of head women's basketball coach, Colleen Mullen, through the 2027-28 season.
 
"Colleen has done an exemplary job in building a winning culture in the classroom, in competition, and in the community," said Benson. "With one regular-season conference championship, one conference title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance, Colleen has brought UAlbany women's basketball back to the top of the America East Conference. In addition to the competitive success the team has enjoyed under her leadership, they've flourished academically. She personifies our mission of building Great Leaders, Great Champions, and Great Danes. We have the utmost confidence that Colleen will continue to guide our women's basketball program to even greater heights in the years to come."
 
Mullen took over as head coach of the UAlbany women's basketball program in 2018. Since then, she has amassed 74 total wins and has led the team to five-straight America East Tournament appearances. Winning the 2022 America East Championship, Mullen led the Great Danes to become the 2022-23 America East Regular Season Co-Champions.
 
"I am extremely grateful and humbled for this opportunity," said Mullen. "I want to thank President Havidán Rodríguez, Athletic Director Mark Benson, and Senior Woman Administrator Cara White for their continued belief in me as their head coach.
 
"I've been fortunate to work with dedicated assistant coaches that share my values and have believed in my vision since we arrived at UAlbany. We have developed a championship culture of excellence and have led the program back to the national stage. I want to thank each student-athlete for buying into our winning culture.
 
"Thank you to the UAlbany campus community, staff, friends, family, fans, and alumnae for their consistent support of me and the team. I want to thank my family and friends for always encouraging me to pursue my goals and aspirations. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude and excited for the future!"
 
The last two seasons were proof that Mullen's work to rebuild the Great Dane program was successful. Finishing third in the America East regular season in 2022, UAlbany went on to upset Maine at the America East Championship with an eight-point victory in Maine. Seeing her 50th career win during the AE Tournament, she led UAlbany to the NCAA First Round for the first time in five years. Returning to play in 2022-23, Mullen's Great Danes went 14-2 in conference play for their first regular season title in seven years. After their second-straight championship appearance, the Great Danes competed in the WNIT for just the second time in program history. Capping the 2022-23 season, UAlbany earned the second-highest GPA to rank in the WBCA's Division I Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll.
 
Additional Highlights

• Mullen's first recruit, Lucia Decortes, a forward out of Bergamo, Italy, entered the top 10 in program history with 102 career blocks.
• Helene Haegerstrand earned her 1000th career point on January 1, 2023, and currently sits sixth in program history with 1,269 career points, fifth among Division I athletes. She also ranks eighth in three-point field goals made with 137.
• In just her third year with the Great Danes, Kayla Cooper entered the career record book in rebounds. Currently ranked 19th overall with 515 rebounds, she is ninth among Division I athletes.
• Mullen has coached nine America East (AE) All-Conference award winners, including three First Team honorees, with three AE All-Rookie team members, three AE All-Defensive team members, and three AE All-Academic award winners. She added her first major award winner when Morgan Haney won the Sixth Player of the Year at the conclusion of the 2021-22 season.

 
A former standout point guard for Rhode Island and New Hampshire who's worked at Army, LIU, Lehigh, Southern New Hampshire, and Northern Illinois, Mullen recently completed her fifth season as head coach at UAlbany.
 
For more information on the University at Albany women's basketball team, follow the squad's official social media accounts shown below.
Twitter - @ualbanywbb
Instagram & Threads - @ualbanywbb
Facebook – facebook.com/UAlbanyWBB