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WNBA Atlanta Dream

Atlanta Dream Announces Joe Ciampi as Assistant Coach

January 11, 2012 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Atlanta Dream News Release


ATLANTA, January 11, 2012 - The Atlanta Dream announced today the addition of Joe Ciampi to the coaching staff. Ciampi joins the Dream as an assistant coach under Head Coach and General Manager Marynell Meadors.

"I am really excited to add someone of Joe's caliber and experience to our staff," said Meadors. "Joe has a winning legacy and he has coached some tremendous teams. His value is not only as a strategist but also in the rapport he establishes with his players. Joe loves to teach the game and I think that his success is a reflection of that passion."

Ciampi spent 27 years as a head coach at the collegiate level for Auburn University and the U.S. Military Academy, posting an overall record of 607-213 (.740 winning percentage). A member of the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, Ciampi registered 20+ win seasons 19 times during his coaching career. He received both National Coach of the Year (1987, 1989, 1993) and SEC Coach of the Year (1985, 1988, 1989) honors three times.

"I am excited about having the opportunity to work with the Atlanta Dream," said Ciampi. "I had the chance to work with Marynell from a player development perspective two years ago and really enjoyed the team and the coaching staff. Hopefully I can help us keep growing as a team and knock down that final barrier to win a championship."

In 25 seasons at Auburn University, Ciampi guided the Tigers to 16 NCAA appearances, including three consecutive trips to the national championship game in 1988, 1989 and 1990. He led Auburn to the 2003 Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) championship, four Southeastern Conference (SEC) regular season titles (1981, 1987, 1988, 1989) and four SEC Tournament titles (1981, 1987, 1990, 1997).

Under Ciampi's leadership, Auburn players gained All-SEC honors 39 times and Academic All-SEC honors 30 times. Ciampi coached multiple players who excelled at the international level, including U.S. Olympians Ruthie Bolton and Carolyn Jones and he also coached current WNBA player Le'Coe Willingham.

Prior to taking the head coach position at Auburn in 1979, Ciampi spent two seasons as head coach of the U.S. Military Academy.

Ciampi currently serves as a color commentator for Comcast Sports South, covering SEC women's basketball. He has also spent time as a consultant to multiple Division I women's basketball teams.

The Atlanta Dream tips off its fifth season in May at Philips Arena as part of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA), the world's longest-running women's professional sports league. The Dream is the defending two-time, back-to-back Eastern Conference Champion.

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