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| Photo by Brian Beard, GoUBearsPhoto |
Megan Phelps, who played under and coached with former Bowdoin head coach Adrienne Shibles, has returned to Brunswick to become the Polar Bears’ next head women’s basketball coach.
The College announced the hiring via press release on May 16.
“I am thrilled to welcome Megan Phelps back to Bowdoin as our head coach of women’s basketball,” said Ashmead White Director of Athletics Tim Ryan in the release. “Megan’s passion for supporting the academic interests and community engagement of our students, along with her insightful perspective and love for the game of basketball leave her uniquely qualified to lead our program forward.”
Phelps was an assistant under Adrienne Shibles from 2017-2020 when the Polar Bears went 87-7 with two trips to the national championship game. Bowdoin was also one of the final 16 teams remaining in the 2020 NCAA Tournament when it was cancelled due to COVID-19. In May 2021, Shibles took the head job at Division I Darmouth and Phelps joined her staff there as top assistant and lead recruiter.
Phelps also played at Bowdoin from 2011-2015 and was team captain twice. She replaces Sacha Santimano whom the College announced would not return due to family health reasons.
“As a proud alumnae of the College, the Bowdoin and Brunswick communities are truly special to me,” Phelps said in the release. “Maine is a state that loves its women’s basketball and I am thrilled to return to the place where my love for the game was born. I cannot wait to work with the amazing women on the team, and continue to build on the incredible legacy of Bowdoin Women’s Basketball. “
After not playing at all in 2020-21, Bowdoin started last season ranked No. 13 in the preseason and won nine of its first 10 games. The Polar Bears then went 5-5 in NESCAC play and then lost to CBB rival Colby in the NESCAC tournament opener.