Former Villanova Star Laura Kurz Joins Wildcats' Coaching Staff
By Matt Leon
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Villanova women's basketball coach Harry Perretta has filled an opening on his coaching staff with one of the better players in recent program history.
Laura Kurz recently came aboard with the Wildcats, replacing Heather Vulin who left to join the staff at Virginia Tech.
"It really is a dream come true," Kurz tells KYW Newsradio. "Harry called me a couple months ago and mentioned that there was a possibility of an opening on the staff and I was super excited about it. So I'm glad to be back."
Listen to the entire interview with Villanova's Laura Kurz
Kurz, a Germantown Academy product, actually started her college basketball playing career with Duke. After a couple of years she transferred to Villanova where she enjoyed enormous success. In 66 games with the Wildcats, Kurz averaged 16.1 points and 6.8 rebounds while shooting 47% from the field. She helped the Wildcats to the NCAA Tournament as a senior in 2009.
This will be the second coaching gig for Kurz. She previously spent two years as an assistant at Lehigh. She talks about her favorite part of the coaching profession.
"I think the interaction with the kids, the players," Kurz says. "For me, especially being one of the younger assistants on staff, I graduated not too long ago, so I have gone through the experience myself, especially playing for Harry, too. I think it's easier for the players to relate to somebody on staff who has gone through a very similar experience.
"Plus, I think I had a unique experience in my college basketball career," Kurz continues. "I started off at Duke for two years and then I transferred to Villanova. So I think I have a pretty interesting perspective. Was a role player on my Duke team, a team that went to the Final Four and then was more of a 'go-to' player at Villanova. So I think that's a valuable perspective that I can share with my players, having gone kind of both ends of the spectrum in my career."
So what has she learned about the coaching profession?
"You have to treat every kid differently," Kurz says. "Everybody likes to be coached in different ways."
Villanova went 22-14 last season.
You can follow Matt on twitter @mattleonkyw.
