HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky women's basketball head coach Camryn Whitaker announced the addition of Ashley Earley to her staff for the 2017-18 season. Earley comes to the Norse with experience as both a player and coach at the Power 5 level, standing out on the court at Vanderbilt before serving stints at Alabama, Virginia and Vanderbilt.
 
"I am incredibly grateful and ecstatic for the opportunity to join Coach Whitaker and the entire Northern Kentucky University family," commented Earley. "I believe in Coach Whitaker's vision and her plan for this program, academically and athletically. Our student-athletes' enthusiasm and work ethic, combined with Coach Whitaker's plan, will make NKU basketball very exciting to watch for years to come."
 
Coach Whitaker added, "I am extremely excited Coach Earley has decided to join our staff at Northern Kentucky! Her experience as a player and coach is going to add so much value, not only to myself but most importantly to our players. Ashley has played and worked for some of the best coaches in college basketball. She has also recruited at a high level and had proven success in developing players on and off the court. I can't wait to see what we can all accomplish together!"
 
The former Commodore was on the Vanderbilt staff from 2013-16 and worked primarily with the post players while also aiding the program's recruiting efforts. In her first season with Vandy, Earley helped the Commodores earn their 15^th-straight NCAA tournament berth. The following season, the frontcourt was one of the most efficient in the nation with four players connecting above 50 percent from the field, while the entire team ranked 10^th in the nation at 45.4 percent.
 
Prior to the return to her alma mater, Earley started her coaching career at Alabama as a graduate assistant before moving on to positions at Tennessee Tech, Marquette, and Virginia.
 
As a player from 2001-05, Earley was a unanimous All-SEC First Team honoree, Kodak All-Region, an Associated Press All-American honorable mention and a Full Court Press All-American Second Team member. She led the Southeastern Conference in field goal percentage and offensive rebounds in her senior season and was a candidate for both the Naismith Trophy and the Wooden Award. She also has extensive postseason tournament playing experience, helping the Commodores to the Elite Eight in 2002 as well as Sweet Sixteen appearances in 2004 and 2005. Earley was drafted by the Indiana Fever and played professionally for the Maccabi Tel Kabir in the Safsal Israeli League.
 
NKU kicks off the 2017-18 season on Nov. 4 with an exhibition game against Asbury College inside BB&T Arena before lifting the lid on the regular season with a home tilt against Kent State on Nov. 11. Season tickets are available for $60 for adults and $50 for youth ages 13-17. For more information, visit NorseTickets.com or contact Micki Ford at (859) 572-7848 or fordm10@nku.edu.