Janel Grimm Burgess is no longer an assistant head coach for the MSU women's basketball team.
She now is an associate head coach for the team. Grimm Burgess was promoted on Wednesday, after working as an assistant coach under head coach Joanne P. McCallie for the last five seasons, four of them at MSU.
"I think it's a great opportunity for me and my family," Grimm Burgess said. "It doesn't change much about what I do with the team, though."
Grimm Burgess has been McCallie's top assistant for the past two seasons, a job she received after former associate head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson took a head-coaching job at Southwest Missouri State.
"Janel and I have a long-term relationship, and she has grown in every area every year," McCallie said in a written statement. "She has made very quick strides; she's very sharp and on top of things.
"She has a good sense of the game, is excellent in game management as well as recruitment and has really developed a strong sense of player development."
Grimm Burgess is a big part of the recruiting process, which has helped land players such as sophomores Lindsay Bowen and Liz Shimek. During the season, she devises offensive and defensive game plans and works specifically with the post players on the team.
Although Grimm Burgess has been promoted quickly, she said she won't rush the next step to a head coaching position - a move that would require her to leave MSU.
"My goal is to become a head coach, but I am in no hurry," Grimm Burgess said. "The timing has to be right, and it's important to find the right fit."
The right fit for Grimm Burgess right now seems to be at MSU. She added that she plans on taking MSU to a championship level before leaving to start her own program.
Originally from Iowa, Grimm Burgess made a name for herself at Iowa State where she was a four-year starter and a two-time All-Big 12 recipient. She finished in the top four in field-goal percentage, rebounds, points and games played for the Cyclones.
Grimm Burgess is married to Tim Burgess, head coach of the Mason High School girls' basketball team. The couple had their first child, Edward, a little less than seven months ago.
