Windward School Makes Coaching Changes

Former WNBA and Stanford University standout Vanessa Nygaard will take over as Windward School's girls varsity basketball team for the 2012-13 season.

Nygaard inherits the program from Steve Smith, who led the Wildcats to a CIF Division IV state championship in 2010, two Southern Section championships, and 12 league titles in 13 years at the helm. He was picked CIF State Coach of the Year by ESPN in 2011 and has decided to pursue a master's degree in Athletic Leadership & Sports Administration as well as continuing as Windward's athletic director.

Nygaard has been an assistant at Windward since 2009.

“I couldn’t be more excited about Vanessa leading this team into the future," Smith said. "I personally chose her to be my successor and have been thinking about this for a couple of years. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to advance professionally as A.D. and to continue to grow Windward Athletics. This is Vanessa's team now and we are both excited for the future."

In Smith’s 10‐year tenure as A.D., Windward has captured three CIF state sports championships, eight Southern Section titles and numerous middle school and upper school league crowns.  

Nygaard served as an assistant coach for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars, helping them to the 2008 WNBA Finals. Prior to that, she spent four years as an assistant coach with Pepperdine University. She started her coaching career in 2003 at Long Beach State.  

Prior to joining the coaching ranks, Nygaard played six seasons in the WNBA. She attended Stanford University, leading the Cardinal to three Final Four  appearances. She left Stanford as the school's all-time three-point leader.

“I’m very excited to carry on the tradition of Windward girls varsity basketball that Coach Smith has developed here," Nygaard said. "I'm honored to be chosen for this position and I hope to continue his legacy of excellence."

Earlier in April, boys varsity volleyball coach Michelle McGuire agreed to take over the reins of the girls team from Damon Van Leeuwen, who has decided to devote himself full-time to teaching in the English Department, where he has been a member of the faculty for several years.

Coach McGuire will continue to coach as the boys as well. Under her leadership,  the Wildcats have won seven consecutive league titles. In 2010, they advanced to the CIF-SS Division 4 semifinals. McGuire has more than 20 years of coaching experience. Before coming to Windward, she headed the girls volleyball program at Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas, where she had a 313-99 record.

McGuire's 2001 and 2004 squads won the Southwest Preparatory Conference title, along with 10 North Zone titles without losing a league match. She also directed the Addison Volleyball Club for 10 seasons and was director of the prestigious Nike Volleyball Camp while in Dallas.

A graduate of Texas Woman's University, McGuire earned two All-Conference honors as a setter.

“Coach McGuire has done an amazing job with the boys program and we look forward to her leading our girls program to new heights," Smith said. "Her years of experience and the respect that her players have for her is invaluable.”