GRINNELL, Iowa – Already enjoying a successful run as Grinnell College's women's basketball coach, Dana Harrold will be promoted from staff to faculty status in the summer of 2018 and serve as an assistant professor of Physical Education.
 
Andy Hamilton '85, Director of Athletics and Recreation, commented, "Because we are converting our basketball position from staff to faculty, we were required to complete a national search.  Through the search process, and based on her high-quality work already completed at Grinnell, it was clear to all of us that we needed Dana to continue as head coach and transition into the new faculty role."
 
"Continuing my career as both an educator and a coach here at Grinnell College is an opportunity I am honored to have," said Harrold, who will also serve as an assistant coach in another sport. "I am thankful to our Athletic Director, Andy Hamilton, our administration and entire athletic department for the chance to continue working at such a well-renowned institution.  
 
"I am encouraged by the progress we have made in our women's basketball program and hope to continue recruiting high-quality student-athletes to help us continue building a strong and competitive program," she added. "I also look forward to the future in working with another group of young women in my second sport responsibility. In my time at Grinnell thus far I have been able to see the commitment to excellence in our academics, and in athletics as well, and I look forward to being a part of the Grinnell family as a faculty member and coach for many years to come."
 
Harrold, who came to Grinnell the summer of 2013, has had the Pioneers on a roll in recent years. Her 2015-16 team enjoyed the biggest season for the program in more than a decade. The Pioneers qualified for the Midwest Conference Tournament for the first time since the 2003-04 campaign.

They also had 12 league wins, the most in program history, and the 15-9 overall mark ranked among the most wins in team history.

Despite graduating one of the better players in program history in Alissa Hirsh, the 2016-17 squad didn't miss a beat. Grinnell again posted 12 wins in league play while going 14-10 overall and earning a repeat trip to the MWC Tournament. It was the first time since the early 1990s that Grinnell qualified for back-to-back league tournaments.

Harrold became the 11th Pioneer women's basketball coach in program history after serving as an assistant coach at the University of Dubuque since 2006.

A native of Jesup, Iowa, Harrold gained her bachelor's degree from Dubuque before earning her master's degree in Physical Education with an emphasis in Athletic Administration from Loras College in 2006. 

With Harrold's assistance, Dubuque compiled the most wins in program history for a six-year period (89) and qualified for the Iowa Conference Tournament four of the past six seasons.
 
At Dubuque, Harrold taught Methods of Coaching Basketball, which was a course that focused on the students' coaching philosophy, communication and leadership skills as well as practice and game management. She also taught Reading and Study Skills, a class offered through the Bridge program that helped students with the transition to college and focused on good study habits, scheduling organization and goal setting.
 
She coached within the softball program at Dubuque Senior High School for five seasons, and spent a season on the University of Dubuque softball staff. She was also head women's golf coach at the University of Dubuque for six years.


As a player at Dubuque, Harrold started every game of her record-setting four-year career. She was a three-time All-Iowa Conference player, two-year captain and team most valuable player, and was named the school's Female Athlete of the Year as a junior and senior.

Harrold ended her career as the Spartans' all-time leader in assists and steals and ranks second in scoring. She was inducted into Dubuque's Hall of Fame in the fall of 2011.
 
Hamilton proclaimed, "During her time in our department I have been in the gym several times to observe Dana and witness her coaching strengths.  It is kind of hard to figure out what she is better at – teaching and training basketball skills or in-game leading and coaching.  Needless to say, we are retaining a very strong coach."
 
"Our faculty/coach positions require coaches to be a head coach, work in a second sport and to teach in the PE program.  Dana's background at Dubuque in both teaching and coaching, coupled with her experience here at Grinnell, made her a great candidate for the job.  I am excited to see her continue building our basketball program, and I am anxious to have her work with more Pioneer student-athletes in her second coaching role," said Hamilton.
 
Harrold is married to her husband Clay, and the couple has a daughter, Braylee.