DES MOINES, IOWA - Drake women's basketball coach Amy Stephens today announced the hiring of Allison Pohlman as an assistant coach for the Bulldogs.

No stranger to the Missouri Valley Conference, Pohlman joins the Bulldog staff after spending the past seven seasons as a coach at Northern Iowa, including serving as the Panthers' associate head coach during the 2006-07 campaign.

"We're excited to have Coach Pohlman join our coaching staff," Stephens commented. "She's relentless in her pursuit of excellence and we like the way she fits the philosophy we strive for at Drake. She has a strong work ethic, an uncanny ability to recruit and an inside edge with the Missouri Valley Conference. She's built a great reputation in the state of Iowa, and we intend to capitalize on her strengths as a coach, a recruiter and a relationship builder."

Her primary responsibilities for the Bulldogs will be serving as recruiting coordinator, tutoring the Bulldogs' off guards and assisting with the preparation of opponent scouting reports. She assumes the role filled the past four seasons by Dr. Micah Parker.

"I am eager to join such a strong team and will strive to meet and surpass the expectations of the Bulldogs' coaching staff, players, and fans," Pohlman said. "This is an extraordinary opportunity, as well as a wonderful new challenge. I look forward to my future as a Drake Bulldog."

While at Northern Iowa, she was in charge of academic monitoring, summer camp operations, served as facility liaison, and coached UNI's perimeter players. She also aided in recruiting, scouting, fund-raising and public relations events in the community.

Pohlman began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Northern Iowa during the 2000-01 campaign before being elevated to a assistant coach for the following season, a position she held until being promoted to associate head coach last season.

One of the best all-around players in Northern Iowa history, the former Allison Starr competed from 1997-2000 as the centerpiece in the rejuvenation of Panther basketball under recently retired head coach Tony DiCecco.

In 1997 she was named to the Missouri Valley Conference's All-Freshman team. Her final three years, she was named All-MVC first team and to the Valley's All-Defensive Team.

Pohlman arguably had one the finest single season in UNI history in 1999-2000, leading the Panthers in steals and assists while setting school records for points and rebounds in a season. A runner-up to Jackie Stiles for the league's Player of the Year award, she was named the Valley's Defensive Player of the Year, as well.

Pohlman capped her career by ranking second in UNI history with 1,463 points, third with 711 rebounds, second with 274 steals, fifth with 278 assists and as the school record holder for free throws made, free throws attempted, offensive rebounds, defensive rebounds, double-doubles and steals per game.

The Wellsburg, Iowa, native and her husband, Kirk, have triplet daughters, Quinn, Rubie and Sidny.

Coaching Experience
o University of Northern Iowa, Associate Head Coach, 2006-2007
o University of Northern Iowa, Assistant Coach, 2001- 2006
o University of Northern Iowa, Graduate Assistant Coach, 2000-2001