who retired last week.<\/a><\/p>\nPizzotti, a native of Lombard, served as interim coach for the 2024-25 season while Bruno was out on medical leave. She has been on the DePaul coaching staff since the 2011-12 season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the DePaul women\u2019s basketball program,\u201d Pizzotti said in a statement. \u201cWorking to fulfill the vision of legendary coach Doug Bruno is an honor. We want to bring DePaul women\u2019s basketball back to national prominence and use the energy and momentum in our great sport now to reach new heights.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2018\u2018Jill Pizzotti, that\u2019s my recommendation,\u2019\u2019 Bruno told the Sun-Times last week after announcing his retirement. \u2018\u2018I\u2019m pulling for her to get the job. She\u2019s my choice, if I have anything to say about it.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Bruno stepped down seven months after suffering a stroke that left him in a coma for weeks and caused him to miss the 2024-25 season. Bruno had been with the Blue Demons for 39 years and 38 seasons as coach.<\/p>\n
\u201cJill Pizzotti is the right leader at the right time for DePaul Women\u2019s Basketball. Her vast experience at the highest levels of the game \u2014 both as a head coach and a key figure in high-major programs \u2014 sets her apart even before you factor in her longstanding work at DePaul,\u201d vice president and director of athletics DeWayne Peevy said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Pizzotti spent 10 seasons as the head coach at Saint Louis University from 1995-2005.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n