Kristen O'Neill is entering her third year as an assistant coach at Seattle University.  She was hired by Joan Bonvicini on August 31, 2009.  O'Neill is involved in all aspects of the program, especially: scouting, recruiting, player development, strength and conditioning, and academics.  During her first season as the team's academic coordinator, the Redhawks were named to the 2010 WBCA Top 25 Academic Honor Roll with a cumulative team GPA of 3.34.

"Kristen has been an integral part of our program and success since my arrival at Seattle University," said Bonvicini. "She has grown as a coach and leader in our program and her new title as Associate Head Coach is a direct reflection of her impact with our players and community. I am excited to continue to mentor Kristen as a young professional in our game."

O'Neill is well known throughout the Seattle basketball community for her success as a standout player at the interscholastic, intercollegiate and professional levels.  O'Neill was a high school All-American at Meadowdale (Lynnwood, WA) and Gatorade's Washington State Player of the Year in 2001.  She played collegiately at the University of Washington from 2001-2006 where she was a three-time co-caption and four-year starter. She was UW's Defensive Player of the Year twice (2002 and 2003), a 2002 Pacific-10 All-Freshman Team honoree and the Coaches Award recipient in 2006.  O'Neill graduated with honors in 2006 with a degree in communication.  She then went on to play professionally in the highest division of FIBA's Euroleague for teams in Madrid and Burgos, Spain.  In 2008, O'Neill returned to Seattle and played in the WNBA for the Seattle Storm.  She concluded her professional career in Limerick, Ireland and became the Superleague Player of the Year in 2009.

"Coaching has been an exciting new chapter within my basketball career.  Seattle University is a great fit for its commitment to academic excellence and involvement within the community.  Coach Bonvicini has been a great mentor to learn from as we build this program to national prominence at the Division I level," said O'Neill. "We've come a long way over the past three years and I look forward to continuing to build a culture of excellence at Seattle U." 

O'Neill is also working on her masters in Sport and Leadership Administration at Seattle University.