With the resignation of Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland, the search for a replacement to lead the Lady Lions begins today.

At yesterday's press conference, Penn State athletic director Tim Curley said although he was focused on addressing the resignation, a nationwide search would be conducted to find Portland's successor.

"I really have always felt very strongly that it needs to be a great fit for Penn State," Curley said. "Penn State is a unique school, and I want to make sure that we identify that person that we feel meets all of the criteria that we've established in a coach."

Curley would not comment about specific criteria or candidates, but he added Penn State would search the country for the best person to lead what he called an "attractive program."

One of the top candidates often mentioned during discussions of potential successors is former Lady Lion standout and 2004 WNBA coach-of-the-year Suzie McConnell Serio.

Serio -- the NCAA career assists leader -- coached the Minnesota Lynx for three-and-a-half seasons and guided Oakland Catholic High School in Pittsburgh for 13 years, including two seasons with current Lady Lion point guard Brianne O'Rourke.

McConnell Serio, who said she was "shocked" to hear about Portland's resignation, has said she would like to coach in college. But asked if she would consider accepting the Penn State job, McConnell Serio struggled to articulate her thoughts.

"Obviously I'd be flattered if that was the case," she said. "Never in a million years did I expect this to happen, nor to have the opportunity to think about it. I don't even know how to comment; I've never even thought about it."