:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/46581808/usa-today-8313811.0.jpg)
A former Syracuse assistant has left the program to work for one the most well-known and well-paid coaches in women's basketball.
Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer officially announced on Tuesday that Kelley Gibson has joined her staff as an assistant coach.
"I am thrilled and honored to be joining such a storied basketball program," Gibson said through a release. "I have always admired Coach Stringer's basketball family, and I have such a great deal of respect for the outstanding tradition."
Gibson came to Syracuse in 2010 as an assistant for the women's basketball team, primarily working with the guards. For the past four seasons, Gibson was also the team's recruiting coordinator. During that time, Syracuse developed into a nationally ranked program, reached three straight NCAA Tournaments and signed several recruits who were ranked in the top 100 of their classes.
Syracuse's Class of 2012 was ranked No. 6 in the country by ESPN's Hoopgurlz, the highest ranked recruiting class in program history. It included McDonald's All-Americans Brianna Butler and Brittney Sykes, whose 2013-14 season ranked as the fifth highest scoring one for a Syracuse player. The Orange owns the No. 21 incoming freshman class, according to Dan Olson's Collegiate Girls Basketball Report.
Stringer said she's followed Gibson's career over the past few years and admired her detail-oriented and high energy personality.
"Kelley has made a commitment to developing young ladies at both a professional and personal level and has been responsible for the growth and development of numerous young women throughout her career so far," Stringer said. "She is an up and coming rising star in the coaching ranks."
Before coming to Syracuse, Gibson coached at USC, Maine, and the University of Maryland, Baltimore County.
She was an all-conference guard at Maryland, played internationally in Russia and Israel and won the 2000 WNBA Championship with the Houston Comets.
She joins a Rutgers women's basketball team, who went 23-10 last season. Like Syracuse, the Scarlet Knights reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
A Syracuse University spokesman said the team doesn't have an update yet on who will replace Gibson on the staff.