Former University of Vermont coach Sharon Dawley was introduced as the new women's basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts on Tuesday afternoon.

A Revere native who started her coaching career at Tufts, Dawley guided the Catamounts to back-to-back America East titles the last two seasons and three consecutive postseason berths in a nine-year run in Burlington.

"I am extremely excited for this opportunity to be the head women's basketball coach at the University of Massachusetts and return to my home state," said Dawley. "UMass has been a school I admired growing up and I believe this program has a lot of potential and opportunity for growth and that has me excited."

In seven seasons at Vermont, Dawley posted a mark of 128-86 (.598) and holds a career record of 265-148 (.642) through 16 seasons as a head coach. She became the winningest coach in Vermont women's basketball history when the Catamounts upset seventh-seeded Wisconsin in the first round of the NCAA Tournament last month, the program's first tournament victory.

UVM posted a record of 27-7 this season, the third-highest wins total for the program all-time and led the nation with 18 road victories.

Prior to arriving at Vermont, Dawley spent 10 years as a member of the women's basketball staff at Dartmouth College. In nine seasons at Tufts, she was 137-62 (.688). She earned her degree from Saint Anselm College.

Dawley replaces Marnie Dacko, whose contract was not renewed after eight seasons. The Minutewomen finished this season 5-9 in Atlantic 10 play and 11-19 overall.