MOUNT PLEASANT – Central Michigan University Athletics Director Dave Heeke announced today the hiring of Sue Guevara as the new women’s basketball head coach.

“I am excited to name Sue Guevara as our new women’s basketball head coach and feel she is the right person to take this program to the next level,” Heeke said. “Sue’s energy and desire to be successful were two main factors in our decision. She knows what it takes to be successful at this level, and that is what we need in a head coach.

“I also was impressed with the experience Sue brings from her time at Michigan, Michigan State and Auburn. Her ability to recruit and develop successful student-athletes at this level is one of her biggest strengths and something we looked for during the search process. She also brings a great knowledge of and connections to the state of Michigan, which makes her an effective recruiter. We are committed to competing for championships and developing outstanding student-athletes, and Sue will do both during her time here.”

Guevara comes to CMU from Auburn University where she served as an assistant coach the past three seasons. Before that she was the head coach at the University of Michigan for seven seasons (1996-2003) and is the winningest coach in UM’s history. Guevara was also at Michigan State as an assistant coach for 10 seasons (1987-1996).

“I am so happy to be coming back to Michigan and for the opportunity to lead this program,” Guevara said. “ I feel with the vision that Dave Heeke has for this department and the resources available, we can compete for Mid-American Conference championships every year. We will raise the level of play and have a team that this university and this community can be proud of.

“One of the things that really attracted me to this position was this community. I remember going to camp here at Finch Fieldhouse as a young player, and it is amazing how this university and Mount Pleasant have grown yet still kept their small-town feel. This is such a great state for women’s basketball because it has so many fundamentally sound coaches teaching its young players. I can’t wait to get started because I feel there is so much potential for this team.”

Guevara is a native of Saginaw, Michigan where she attended Saginaw St. Stevens High School. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Saginaw Valley State University in 1982.

“Sue Guevara brings excellent energy, a strong leadership presence, and championship experience to CMU,” CMU President Michael Rao said. “I am excited about how she will take the CMU women’s basketball team to the next level.”

During Guevara’s seven seasons at Michigan, she recorded a record of 123-82 (.600), setting school records for the most career wins and the best career winning percentage. Her 57 wins and .509 winning percentage in Big Ten play are also the top marks in school history. Guevara led UM to three NCAA Tournament bids (1998, 2000, 2001), including a spot in the second round in 2001, and two appearances in the WNIT. Five of the school’s six postseason appearances came during her tenure.

Guevara was twice named the Big Ten Coach of the Year (1998, 2000) and was named Michigan Coach of the Year in 2000. She developed Stacey Thomas into Michigan’s first Kodak All-American in 2000 and the school’s first four-time All-Big Ten selection. Guevara coached 17 All-Big Ten honorees including the lone first team selections in Michigan history, Pollyanna Johns in 1998 and Thomas in 2000. Four of Guevara’s players were selected in the WNBA draft.

Guevara also led the Wolverines to national prominence as the squad was ranked as high as No. 12 nationally during the 2001-02 season and again in 2002-03. The 1999-2000 squad set the school record for wins in a season with 22 and finished second in the Big Ten, Michigan’s highest finish ever.

Guevara led the Big Ten All-Star team on a European tour in 2000. She also was an assistant coach for the 1993 tour team that recorded a perfect 6-0 record.

Guevara has served as an assistant coach under Nell Fortner at Auburn for the past three seasons. The Tigers advanced to the WNIT Elite Eight this season. Auburn also sent a pair of players to the WNBA during Guevara’s time there.

Guevara was an assistant coach at Michigan State under Karen Langeland for 10 seasons. The Spartans posted a record of 149-131 during her time there. Before that, she was an assistant at Ball State for the 1985-86 season.

Guevara began her coaching career at Saginaw Valley as the head softball coach and assistant women’s basketball coach from 1979-1984. Guevara also received a master’s degree from Ohio State University and was a graduate assistant there during the 1984-85 season. During her lone season there, the Buckeyes won a Big Ten title and advanced to the NCAA Regional Finals.