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Fran Recchia








In May 2013, Fran Recchia returned to Radford women's basketball as an assistant coach.
 
After spending one season away, Recchia returned to the area where she had been a familiar face since her playing days at Virginia Tech in 2001. In addition to her role as the Highlanders’ recruiting coordinator, Recchia is responsible for wing player development, scouting, academics and serves as the compliance liaison.

Under Recchia's guidance, guards Ayana Avery and Aisha Foy were both named All-Big South honorees in 2014-15. Avery led the Big South in 3-pointers made per game and finished as Radford's record holder for most treys made in a career. Meanwhile, Foy averaged double-figure scoring (10.3) for the first time in her career. Overall, the Highlanders were the Big South's top 3-point shooting team (.337).

Despite a 2015-16 season ravaged by injuries, Recchia helped guide Radford to its most wins (18) since the 2007-08 season. The Highlanders, who tied for third in the Big South regular-season standings, advanced to the semifinals of the Big South tournament for the first time since 2013.

Defense was the cornerstone of Radford's success. The Highlanders concluded the season ranked fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (.333), 14th in scoring defense (53.3) and 16th in blocks per game (5.6).
 
During her time away from the New River Valley, she served as the top assistant coach at Tusculum College in Greeneville, Tenn. The Pioneers finished 16-13 in 2012-13, culminating with an appearance in the South Atlantic Conference championship game for the fourth time in five seasons.
 
Her first stop at Radford involved guard development, overseeing summer camps and team academics. Before assuming the position at RU, Recchia was the head coach at William Byrd High School in Vinton, Va.
 
She took over the reigns at William Byrd in 2007. During her three seasons, Recchia guided the Terriers to the Region III and Region IV postseason tournaments. Her 2010 squad was recognized as the Civitan Sportsmanship Award recipient.
 
Along with her head coaching stint, Recchia became the vice president and assumed the duties as head coach (15U) for BYBA/Team Virginia in 2009. During her time as vice president, the 16U squad won the 2009 USJN and Fila National Championships. As a coach, she guided her 15U team to a 2009 state championship.

A 2004 graduate with a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Virginia Tech, Recchia spent three seasons playing guard for the Hokies under current Kansas head coach Bonnie Henrickson. While at Virginia Tech, she helped the Hokies to four 20-win seasons, while advancing to postseason play five times (WNIT in 2002 and NCAA tournament in 2003 through 2006).

During her time on the court, Recchia was named to the FIU all-tournament team and was also honored for her work in the classroom earning Big East and ACC Academic Honor Roll recognition in her final three seasons.

Following her stint on the hardwood, she began her coaching career as a graduate assistant (2005-06) under former Hokies head coach Beth Dunkenberger, while earning a Master of Science in Education in 2006. Recchia focused on the development of guards, while assuming several other duties, including film exchange and on-campus recruiting.

Outside of coaching, Recchia was a health and physical education teacher at William Byrd and worked as a summer camp counselor at both Virginia Tech and Kansas.

Follow Coach Recchia on Twitter: @CoachFran_.
 
 
YearSchoolRecordConferenceHomePostseason
2013-14Radford7-235-15 (T10)4-10--
2014-15Radford17-1414-6 (T2)10-5WNIT First Round
2015-16Radford18-1313-7 (T3)11-3--
Totals42-5032-2825-181 Postseason Berth

Fran Recchia at a Glance

Personal

Full Name: Frances Townsend Recchia

Hometown: Flower Mound, Texas

Born: September 13

Education

  • College: Virginia Tech (B.S. in Health and Physical Education, 2004) | (M.S. in Health and Education, 2006)
  • High School: Marcus H.S. (2001 graduate)

Coaching Timeline (10 years)

2005-06 Virginia Tech Women's Basketball Graduate Assistant
NCAA Tournament Appearance: 2006
2007-10William Byrd H.S. Girls' Basketball Head Coach
2010-12Radford University Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
2012-13Tusculum College Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
2013-presentRadford University Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
WNIT Appearance: 2015

Noteworthy Accomplishments Under Recchia at Radford

  • All-Big South Selections: 5
  • Big South All-Freshman Team Honorees: 3
  • Big South All-Academic Team Members: 3
  • Program-record 14 Big South wins in 2014-15
  • Radford finished the 2015-16 season ranked fifth in the nation in field-goal percentage defense (.333), 14th in scoring defense (53.3) and 16th in blocks per game (5.6)

Playing Experience

College:

  • Virginia Tech (2001-05)
  • NCAA Tournament Appearances: 2003, 2004, 2005
  • WNIT Appearance: 2002