SAN ANTONIO – In naming a new Women's Basketball coach, St. Mary's University Executive Director of Athletics
Robert Coleman wanted someone who fit the ideals of the department. He also wanted someone who had knowledge of the area, the game as a whole and what it takes to succeed at college basketball's highest levels.
Coleman is confident he has found the perfect balance of all of those qualities with Valerie Huizar.
Huizar is set to return to her hometown of San Antonio to become the ninth women's basketball head coach in St. Mary's history, Coleman announced. In addition to graduating from O'Connor High School, Huizar also spent the 2016-17 season as an assistant for former Rattler head coach Jason Martens and also served as an assistant coach across town at Our Lady of the Lake University from 2012-14.
"In looking for a new head women's basketball coach, one name that continuously came up as the perfect fit for St. Mary's University was Valerie Huizar," Coleman said. "She's a coach who knows the state of Texas and the national women's college basketball landscape. I had great conversations with her and we've received incredible recommendations. She's a tremendous person with a solid work ethic and passion for the game of basketball. We feel she is the perfect individual to lead our young women to new heights."
Huizar joins the Rattlers from the University of Louisiana, Lafayette, where she has been the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator since she left StMU in 2017. The Ragin' Cajuns have made at least the semifinals in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament three of the last four seasons. Louisiana ranked first in the Sun Belt and 13th nationally in field-goal percentage (45.5%) a season ago, with Huizar serving as the offensive coordinator for the team.
"Following someone like Coach Martens, whom I had the pleasure of assisting for one season and who ran a first-class program, it is extremely humbling to follow in those footsteps," Huizar stated. "I'm grateful to Rob and the committee for their faith in allowing me this opportunity to lead this storied program. This is a special place; St. Mary's University has amazing people and resources for these young athletes to succeed in life after basketball. To not only come back to this University, but come back to my hometown, it is an exciting time for my family and I."
In her dozen years of coaching, Huizar has coached 29 all-conference players as well as seven All-Americans. Her teams have advanced to the postseason national tournament five times.
"It was a very competitive search and we are thrilled to get someone of Val's expertise, who is an excellent recruiter and proven winner," Coleman concluded. "It's a great day for Rattler Basketball."
Huizar also was the head coach at Louisiana State University Shreveport for two seasons, where they advanced to the NAIA National Tournament both seasons (2014-16). Also prior to her time at OLLU from 2012-14, she was an assistant coach at Tyler Junior College, ranking among the top 25 in the nation in her one year with the team (2011-12).
She graduated from LSU Shreveport in 2010 with a bachelor's degree in elementary and secondary health and physical education, and earned her master's degree in kinesiology from Texas-Tyler in 2013.
"This is personal for me," Huizar stated. "I want to make our city proud. I know the community is going to embrace and support this team, and I'm looking forward to the challenge that comes with competing in the Lone Star Conference."
Huizar will begin on June 10, taking over for Martens, who left the business in April after 16 years as the head coach of the Rattlers.
