The Ferris State University women's basketball program has tabbed one of the school's all-time best, former standout point guard Mallory McCartney, as the Bulldogs' new assistant coach for the upcoming 2024-25 season in an announcement made by FSU head coach Kurt Westendorp.

McCartney, who concluded her Bulldog career last season, led FSU to the NCAA Division II Final Four for the first time in program history and finished her five-year career as one of the school's all-time leaders in multiple statistical categories.

She fills a void created by the recent departure of former assistant coach La'Karis Salter, who joined the staff at NCAA Division I Nebraska-Omaha, and will be part of a staff under Westendorp that also includes fellow assistant Scott Carlson.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Mallory to our coaching staff," said Westendorp. "Mallory has been a coach on the floor for us over her playing career and it is such a natural fit for her to make this transition to the sideline. There isn't a person I know that has more passion for this program than Mallory, and I believe she's going to do great things in the coaching profession."

As a senior last season, McCartney helped lead the Bulldogs to a school all-time best 26-6 overall record. The Bulldogs also won the Midwest Regional Championship for the first time in program history and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight for the first time, eventually reaching the national semifinals.

With McCartney on the floor, the Bulldogs beat three teams that were ranked number one in the nation last season at game time, including both Grand Valley State (once) and Ashland (twice). Additionally, FSU's win over Grand Valley State in the Midwest Regional Championship game in Allendale came when the Lakers were ranked second in the country, giving Ferris State four wins last year over opponents ranked first or second nationally.

A first-team All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) pick last year, McCartney concluded her Bulldog career with 1,538 career points, 672 assists, 647 rebounds 290 made three-pointers and 286 steals in 140 collegiate games. She played nearly 5,000 total minutes over the five seasons in the program and led the Bulldogs to three NCAA Tournament appearances along with both a GLIAC regular season and tournament championship.

The Bulldog alum concluded her FSU career as the school's all-time leader in both assists and made three-pointers while also ranking second in steals. She's also among the program's top 10 all-time scoring leaders.

In her storied career, McCartney was a five-time All-GLIAC standout and also earned GLIAC All-Academic honors each season of her collegiate career.