MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (August 16, 2017) – Another Mountaineer has returned to Morgantown, as West Virginia University women’s basketball coach Mike Carey announced the hiring of former student-athlete Ayana “YaYa” Dunning as the coordinator of player development on Tuesday.
Dunning has spent the two previous seasons as the director of women’s basketball operations at the College of Charleston. Before her work with the Cougars, she served as an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College.
“We are very excited to have YaYa back at West Virginia University,” Carey said. “She was a great student-athlete on and off the floor at WVU and will make a positive impact on all of our players.”
“I am excited to return to WVU,” said Dunning. “To come back and join this staff, most of which were here when I was a player, just illustrates the type of atmosphere and environment Coach Carey has built. I’m grateful to now have this opportunity to be able to give back to the program, the University and the community. The saying, ‘Once A Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer’ really is true.”
The Columbus, Ohio, native spent three seasons as a Mountaineer from 2011-13. She finished her illustrious career with 736 points, 602 rebounds and 63 blocks in 99 games played. Dunning served as a captain during the 2012-13 campaign and was a member of three NCAA Tournament teams. Her 207 offensive rebounds are 13th all-time, while her 602 boards are 15th on WVU’s all-time ledger.
In her most recent stop, Dunning was solely responsible for managing the budget for the College of Charleston women’s basketball team.
Additionally, Dunning was in charge of summer camps, execution of scheduling contracts, team meals and other day-to-day operations. She trained and supervised managers and volunteers, while scheduling all workouts, practices, study hall, team meetings, community service and other team functions.
Prior to her arrival at CofC, she made her coaching debut as an assistant coach at Iowa Central College. She helped lead the Tritons to a 20-12 overall record, with four of her players reaching ICCAC All-Region honors under her tutelage.
Dunning served as the communications intern for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association from Jan. to May 2014 and also served as the women’s basketball color analyst for the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG from Oct. 2013 to Jan. 2014.
Coming out of Eastmoore High in Columbus, Ohio, Dunning was a Parade and WBCA All-American. Dunning earned a bachelors degree in sport management from West Virginia University.
Keep up with West Virginia women’s basketball on Instagram and Twitter by following @WVUWBB.
Dunning has spent the two previous seasons as the director of women’s basketball operations at the College of Charleston. Before her work with the Cougars, she served as an assistant coach at Iowa Central Community College.
“We are very excited to have YaYa back at West Virginia University,” Carey said. “She was a great student-athlete on and off the floor at WVU and will make a positive impact on all of our players.”
“I am excited to return to WVU,” said Dunning. “To come back and join this staff, most of which were here when I was a player, just illustrates the type of atmosphere and environment Coach Carey has built. I’m grateful to now have this opportunity to be able to give back to the program, the University and the community. The saying, ‘Once A Mountaineer, Always a Mountaineer’ really is true.”
The Columbus, Ohio, native spent three seasons as a Mountaineer from 2011-13. She finished her illustrious career with 736 points, 602 rebounds and 63 blocks in 99 games played. Dunning served as a captain during the 2012-13 campaign and was a member of three NCAA Tournament teams. Her 207 offensive rebounds are 13th all-time, while her 602 boards are 15th on WVU’s all-time ledger.
In her most recent stop, Dunning was solely responsible for managing the budget for the College of Charleston women’s basketball team.
Additionally, Dunning was in charge of summer camps, execution of scheduling contracts, team meals and other day-to-day operations. She trained and supervised managers and volunteers, while scheduling all workouts, practices, study hall, team meetings, community service and other team functions.
Prior to her arrival at CofC, she made her coaching debut as an assistant coach at Iowa Central College. She helped lead the Tritons to a 20-12 overall record, with four of her players reaching ICCAC All-Region honors under her tutelage.
Dunning served as the communications intern for the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association from Jan. to May 2014 and also served as the women’s basketball color analyst for the Mountaineer Sports Network from IMG from Oct. 2013 to Jan. 2014.
Coming out of Eastmoore High in Columbus, Ohio, Dunning was a Parade and WBCA All-American. Dunning earned a bachelors degree in sport management from West Virginia University.
Keep up with West Virginia women’s basketball on Instagram and Twitter by following @WVUWBB.