Illinois is expected to name Rutgers associate head coach Jolette Law as its new women’s basketball coach Friday.
Law, a former two-time All-Big Ten player at Iowa, would succeed Theresa Grentz, who resigned last month after 12 years.
Law, a native of Florence, S.C., spent 12 years as an assistant to Scarlet Knights coach C. Vivian Stringer, the last four as associate head coach.
The former point guard for Stringer at Iowa has been instrumental in Rutgers’ success. She helped attract eight players who were drafted by the WNBA, including Marshall All-Stater Cappie Pondexter. The Scarlet Knights advanced to the NCAA championship game this season, losing to Tennessee.
Before starting her coaching career, Law was the only female member of the Harlem Globetrotters in 1990-94. She spent a year as an assistant at Ball State before joining Stringer at Rutgers.
Grentz came to Illinois after 19 years at Rutgers, where her 1982 team won the NCAA championship. She is the winningest coach in Illini history with a 210-156 record. Her 1997 team won Illinois’ only Big Ten title.