Throughout Ali Patberg’s time at Indiana, she became one of the faces of Indiana women’s basketball. After the team lost in the Sweet Sixteen in March, ending the 2021-22 season and Patberg’s collegiate career, fans had one thing on their minds: “Coach” Ali Patberg.
Friday morning, that thought became reality as Patberg was named a team and recruitment coordinator for Indiana. The news came less than two days after the announcement that Ashley Williams, Indiana’s assistant coach who was heavily involved in scouting and recruitment, took a job at North Carolina State University.
Patberg was drafted 34th overall by the Indiana Fever in the 2022 WNBA Draft but was waived before the season began. Now, instead of traveling overseas to continue her professional career, the Columbus, Indiana, native will stay in her home state and begin her coaching career.
“I would like to say thank you to Coach Moren and the rest of the staff for believing and trusting me as I begin my college coaching career,” Patberg said in a press release. “I will learn and grow as a professional from one of the best staffs in college basketball and continue to be a part of the Indiana program, which holds such a special place in my heart."
During her time as an Indiana player, Patberg led the Hoosiers to back-to-back Sweet Sixteen appearances and three NCAA tournaments. She started in 123 games, scored 1,752 career points — good for ninth in all-time scoring — and was one of three Hoosiers all-time to earn four All-Big honors in her Indiana career.
Patberg was also a two-time finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award, given to the top point guard in college basketball, and a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association honorable mention.
“We are excited to have Ali join our staff in this capacity after such a successful collegiate career," Indiana head coach Teri Moren said. "Ali is a true competitor who has helped us build this program and is a fantastic person that will impact our players on and off the court. We are looking forward to seeing her transition into a member of our staff."
