NEW ROCHELLE, NY— Iona University women's basketball head coach Angelika Szumilo announced additions and promotions to her staff ahead of the 2026-27 season on Tuesday.

The Maroon & Gold welcome Jeanine Radice as associate head coach, Dylan Nsiah as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator, and Cur'Tiera Haywood as assistant coach/director of operations, while Abby Conklin has been promoted to assistant coach. Christopher Wirth also joins the program in a full-time role as Player Development and Wellness Coordinator.

"I am very excited to announce the newest additions to our coaching staff" said Szumilo. "This group represents a tremendous combination of experience and talented young coaches with incredibly bright futures in our profession. Each person brings a unique skill set, a passion for developing student-athletes, and experience from successful programs. Together, they will have a significant impact on our culture, our players, and the continued growth of Iona Women's Basketball."

JEANINE RADICE-Associate Head Coach

Radice joins the Maroon & Gold as associate head coach, bringing more than three decades of Division I coaching experience and a proven track record of success. She arrives in New Rochelle following seven seasons at Richmond, including the final two as associate head coach, where the Spiders established themselves among the nation's premier mid-major programs. Richmond amassed 150 victories during her tenure, earning five postseason appearances, including three consecutive NCAA Tournament berths from 2024-26.

The most successful stretch in program history came during Radice's final three seasons. The Spiders captured back-to-back Atlantic 10 regular season championships in 2024 and 2025, won the 2024 Atlantic 10 Tournament title and secured the program's first NCAA Tournament victory in 2025. Richmond compiled an 83-21 overall record and a 48-6 conference mark from 2023-26, highlighted by 29- and 28-win campaigns in consecutive seasons. Following the 2024-25 season, Radice was named the World Exposure Report Mid-Major Assistant Coach of the Year.

Prior to Richmond, Radice spent two seasons at Bucknell, helping guide the Bison to 50 wins, the 2019 Patriot League Tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament appearance. She also served 21 seasons at Delaware, where she contributed to 408 victories, four NCAA Tournament appearances and seven WNIT berths, in addition to earlier coaching stops at Seton Hall and Marist. A Fordham Hall of Famer and 1989 MAAC Player of the Year, Radice remains one of the most accomplished players in Rams history, ranking second all-time with 2,417 career points.

SZUMILO ON RADICE

"Jeanine Radice is an extremely accomplished coach, and I feel fortunate to welcome JJ to our staff. Her experience coaching and recruiting at the CAA, Patriot League, and Atlantic 10 levels, along with multiple NCAA Tournament appearances, brings tremendous knowledge and credibility to our program. Most importantly, she is a relationship-driven coach who is passionate about player development and helping our student-athletes reach their full potential, and I know she will make an immediate impact."

DYLAN NSIAH-Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coord.

Nsiah joins the Gaels as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator after spending the previous four seasons at VCU. During his tenure with the Rams, VCU continued its rise within the Atlantic 10, highlighted by a 26-6 campaign in 2023-24 that included a berth in the inaugural WBIT. The Rams set a program record for regular-season victories, finished second in the conference standings and recorded the largest year-over-year improvement in NCAA Division I history, improving by 17.5 wins.

While at VCU, Nsiah helped mentor Atlantic 10 Player of the Year Sarah Te-Biasu, who became the program's first conference player of the year since 2003-04. Te-Biasu averaged 15.6 points per game during the regular season and 17.3 points in conference play, leading the Rams to one of the program's most successful seasons.

Prior to VCU, Nsiah served on the women's basketball staff at UNCG, overseeing film and video operations while assisting with scouting, personnel reports and recruiting visits. He previously worked as a graduate assistant with the Spartans' men's program, helping UNCG capture the 2021 Southern Conference regular season and tournament championships and earn an NCAA Tournament berth. Nsiah began his collegiate coaching career as a student assistant at Georgia State, contributing to practice preparation, recruiting operations and player development.

SZUMILO ON NSIAH

"Dylan is an outstanding recruiter, a strong player development coach, and an exceptional relationship builder, and I am thrilled to welcome him to our staff. During his four years at VCU, he played an important role in the success of a nationally respected program while continuing to grow in all areas of the profession. Dylan brings tremendous energy and a genuine passion for developing student-athletes, and his ability to connect with people will have an immediate impact on our program."

CUR'TIERA HAYWOOD-Assistant Coach/Dir. of Operations

Haywood joins the Iona staff as assistant coach/director of operations after two seasons at her alma mater, Quinnipiac. During her tenure, the Bobcats compiled 55 victories and a 37-3 conference record, advancing to the MAAC Championship Game in both seasons and earning two WBIT appearances. Quinnipiac captured it's MAAC regular season title in 2025-26.

Haywood played an integral role in the development of eight All-MAAC selections, including Gal Raviv, who became the first player in MAAC history to earn both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. She also helped mentor MAAC Sixth Player of the Year Karson Martin and two-time All-MAAC selections Jackie Grisdale and Anna Foley.

Before entering the coaching profession, Haywood completed her collegiate playing career with a graduate season at Austin Peay, where she started all 33 games and surpassed 1,000 career points. She previously enjoyed a standout four-year career at Quinnipiac, earning All-MAAC Third Team honors as a senior after averaging career highs in points and rebounds. Haywood was also named to the MAAC All-Rookie Team and established herself as one of the conference's top perimeter shooters.

SZUMILO ON HAYWOOD

"I am very excited to welcome CT to the Iona Women's Basketball family. An exceptional player who has quickly established herself as an outstanding young coach at Quinnipiac, CT brings a passion for the game and a winning mentality to our program. She understands what it takes to compete at a high level and will be a tremendous resource for our student-athletes as one of the rising young coaches in our profession."

ABBY CONKLIN

Conklin has been promoted to assistant coach after serving as the program's video coordinator during the 2025-26 season. In her first year with the Gaels, Iona surpassed the 20-win mark for just the eighth time in program history and finished fourth in the MAAC standings with a 12-8 conference record. Conklin oversaw the creation and organization of video content for scouting, recruiting, game preparation and social media initiatives.
A native of Irvington, NY, Conklin returned to Westchester following a decorated playing career at Fairleigh Dickinson, including three seasons under Szumilo. She concluded her career with 691 points, 174 three-pointers, 300 rebounds and 211 assists, while setting the program record with 126 games played. As a senior in 2024-25, she started all 33 contests and helped lead the Knights to a program-record 29 victories and their first Northeast Conference Tournament championship since 1992.

Conklin earned NEC Most Improved Player honors in 2023-24 after stepping into a starting role and averaging career highs of 9.8 points, 3.7 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game. She also contributed to NEC regular season championship teams in both 2021-22 and 2022-23. At Irvington High School, Conklin was a 1,000-point scorer, three-time All-Section and three-time All-State selection while helping lead the Bulldogs to three sectional titles and both state and federation championships.

SZUMILO ON CONKLIN

"I am beyond excited to announce Abby Conklin's promotion to Assistant Coach. Since arriving at Iona, Abby has worked tirelessly and demonstrated an unwavering commitment to our student-athletes and program. Her work ethic, ability to build meaningful relationships, and positive influence have earned the respect of everyone around her, and I truly believe she has a very bright future in this profession."

CHRISTOPHER WIRTH - Player Development & Wellness Coord.

Wirth joins the Gaels in a full-time role as Player Development and Wellness Coordinator after working alongside Szumilo in a part-time capacity over the past three seasons. For the last five years, he has served as a mental performance coach in collegiate athletics, helping student-athletes maximize both their personal and competitive potential.

His work has included collaborations with programs such as Cal Poly Pomona women's basketball, UConn women's lacrosse, Emerson College baseball, and Washington College men's basketball and men's lacrosse. Prior to specializing in mental performance, Wirth coached collegiate basketball at both Bridgeport and Wesleyan.

Wirth is also the author of four books and host of the No Quit Living podcast, which has ranked among iTunes' Top 50 podcasts in the Business, Self-Help and Health categories. A graduate of Washington College, Wirth he competed in both basketball and tennis during his collegiate career.

SZUMILO ON WIRTH

"Chris Wirth has worked closely with our program for the last three years, and I am ecstatic to officially welcome him to our staff. A former collegiate basketball player and coach, he has made a tremendous impact on our student-athletes through his commitment to leadership development, accountability, and personal growth. Chris's ability to connect with and inspire others is truly special, and I am excited to see him continue making an even greater impact in this expanded role."