At her introductory press conference as the new Penn State women's basketball head coach yesterday, Coquese Washington repeatedly remarked at how excited she was to begin her tenure in Happy Valley.

And though it was just mere hours into her reign, it was abundantly evident that she wasn't the only one with such energy.

Washington's family and players all expressed a desire to get the ball rolling in the Bryce Jordan Center, hoping to return the Lady Lions to the glory they were synonymous with just three years ago.

"I feel that this is gonna be one heck of a ride," freshman guard Tyra Grant said. "I'm excited. Who wouldn't be? Just to have a new coach in general, to not have to sit here and wait around, and wonder 'What if? What's gonna be?' "

Just a short time ago, Washington may have been wondering the same things. Penn State Director of Athletics Tim Curley said that the initial interest in Washington was a quick transition to the hiring process, though he did not specify exactly how long the period was.

Washington's husband, attorney Raynell Brown, said that despite the surprise of the news, he supported her decision to move their family to State College. In fact, perhaps the biggest question they may have had was answered when their 2-year-old son, Quenton, got off the plane, ran over to Curley and said, "Go Penn State!"

"The day [Penn State] called, she called me out of breath," Brown said. "I'm very excited for her and for this

program. I think the face of the program is changing. The players are gonna see some really good development."

Washington's coaching background seems to fit snugly together with Penn State's tradition. As a former point guard in the collegiate and professional ranks, she worked closely with Notre Dame's guards during her eight-year stay in South Bend as an assistant coach.

Washington said that she plans on keeping former coach Rene Portland's point guard tradition intact.

"She comes from a tremendous background, a successful background," sophomore point guard Brianne O'Rourke said. "Coming from working with Annie [Troyan], who was a point guard, to working with another point guard gets me excited about the future."

O'Rourke said she expects Washington to be a good role model for her, both on and off the court. Washington graduated from Notre Dame in three years, and went back to school to complete her law degree in 1997, earning her the honorable nickname of a "Double-Domer." She was also the first president of the WNBA Players Association from 1999 to 2001.

Those who know her best expect Washington's perseverance to continue as Lady Lions head coach.

"I'm thankful and blessed that she's the person she is," her mother, Velma Washington, said. "She's well rounded. She's always been a person that wants to know more, learn more, give more. And her thing was, 'If I can do more, I can help more.' "