SPORTS

DAVIDSON, N.C.  — Head coach Gayle Fulks announced Aaron Fernandez has joined the Davidson women’s basketball coaching staff as the Director of Player Development for the 2019-20 season.

Aaron Fernandez (screen capture)

Fernandez joins the Wildcat staff after serving as an assistant and then interim head coach for the women’s basketball team at Division II Mars Hill University in Mars Hill, N.C., this past 2018-19 season. He started as the assistant coach for the program before taking over on an interim basis halfway through after former head coach Jenny Finora took a leave of absence due to health reasons. Fernandez succeeds Daniel Metzelfeld, who left Davidson to become the Director of Player Personnel, Development, and Recruiting Operations for University of North Carolina women’s basketball.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Davidson women’s basketball program,” said Fernandez. “Having admired the work of Coach Fulks and her staff for a while, it’s very exciting to now be a part of it. From the first time I visited campus, I knew Davidson was a special place. I look forward to working alongside our student-athletes, Coach Fulks, and the staff.” 

Prior to coaching at Mars Hill, Fernandez served as the head varsity girls’ basketball coach at Owen High school for the 2017-18 season. He recorded a 20-7 record which was second best in the conference. The 20-win season and second place finish in the conference were the best marks by the school in over 10 years.

Prior to taking the head coaching role at Owen, Fernandez was the assistant boys’ basketball coach at Tuscola High School from 2009-2017. During the 2012-13 season, the school won the conference posting a record of 24-5.

Fernandez played three years at Tuscola and went on to get a bachelor’s degree in health/physical education at Western Carolina University in 2013.