Ex-Pup Parrish to coach with ‘Dogs

FRESNO - Fresno State women's basketball coach Adrian Wiggins has announced that former Hanford High School standout Amy Parrish has been promoted to assistant coach after Kelsi Bond left to become the head coach at Southwestern Oklahoma State.

"Amy is a bright young coach with a lot of enthusiasm," Wiggins said. "She is passionate about Fresno State and has deep roots here in the Central Valley. I am excited she is joining our coaching staff."

Parrish is no stranger to the Valley as she grew up in Hanford and played at Fresno State from 2004-06 before becoming an assistant coach at Cal State Bakersfield in 2007-08. She spent this past season as the Basketball Operations Coordinator with the Bulldogs, where she coordinated the off-court affairs of the programs' operation.

While with the Bullpups, she was a member of the 2000-01 state championsip team, averaging 17.2 points per game, including a 23-point, 17-rebound effort in the Division II championship game at ARCO Arena in Sacramento, a 64-56 win over Amador Valley (Pleasanton). The Bullpups ended the season with a 31-2 mark and were ranked No. 2 in the state and No. 1 in Division II by Cal-Hi Sports.

"I am excited about the opportunity to be a Division I assistant coach at my alma mater," Parrish said. "I love the Valley and Fresno State and am looking forward to working with coach Wiggins and the rest of the staff."

During Parrish's playing career at Fresno State she averaged 15.1 points and 6.6 rebounds as a senior. That year she posted four double-doubles and scored in double figures a team-leading 24 times. She earned First Team All-WAC honors as a junior and senior. As a junior, Parrish tallied 13.5 points and 6.9 rebounds a contest.

After her playing career at Fresno State, Parrish played professionally in Holland before joining the staff at Bakersfield.

Parrish's father and brother coach the girls basketball team at HHS.

(July 11, 2009)