Marquette University Athletics
Getting to Know Carla McGhee
7/13/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
July 13, 2010
MILWAUKEE - Carla McGhee, the director of student-athlete development, women's basketball, took time to catch up with Chris Gaulke of the MU athletics media relations staff to talk about what brought her to Marquette and her role on the women's basketball staff.
McGhee joined Mitchell's staff in late June following a decorated career as a coach, administrator and elite player.
McGhee, who has served as an assistant coach at three different schools - Temple, Auburn and South Carolina, returned to coach for two seasons under former teammate Dawn Staley at South Carolina where she oversaw the team's academic progress and work with the post players, after three years of working in the WNBA.
Prior to her return to coaching, McGhee served as a consultant and ambassador for the Atlanta Dream, a new WNBA franchise in 2008. As the face of the franchise pending the team's first draft pick, she was charged with raising awareness about the team in the city and stimulating ticket sales, making speeches and appearances throughout the community.
McGhee joined the Dream after spending nearly two years in her "dream job" in the WNBA front office. As the director of player personnel, she was involved in nearly every facet of player presentation within the league. From working with elite level players to ensure their needs were being met to coordinating player appearances in advertisements and sponsor events on behalf of the league, McGhee was the link between the players and the league office. She fostered good communication and relationships between the two parties in addition to overseeing the team of scouts charged with scouring the globe for new talent. McGhee traveled to each arena in the league to ensure teams and players complied with league regulations governing everything from signage to dress codes.
Prior to her stint in the WNBA front office, McGhee was an assistant coach at Auburn for the 2005-06 season. In addition to her recruiting responsibilities and post player development, she was the Tigers' liaison with academic advisors and the compliance office in her two seasons at Auburn. Among the recruits she helped sign was two-time All-SEC selection and honorable mention All-America forward DeWanna Bonner.
McGhee got her coaching start with Staley at Temple during the 2003-04 season when she helped the Owls to an Atlantic 10 Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. She played an integral role in developing Candace Dupree into a first-round pick in the 2006 WNBA Draft, the first such selection in Temple's history. Following a four-year career at Tennessee, during which the Lady Vols collected national championships in 1987 and 1989, McGhee played professionally for teams in various countries across the globe until she joined the WNBA's Orlando Miracle in 1999.
McGhee's playing experience includes a lengthy stint in the USA Basketball organization, beginning with the 1987 Sports Festival. She went on to participate in the 1993 World Qualifying, 1994 World Championship and Goodwill Games, the 1995 Pan American Games and the 1996 Olympics.
