The Gophers women’s basketball team named former University of Akron associate head coach Curtis Loyd as its new assistant coach Thursday. He will coach post players and be the team’s defensive coordinator and academic liaison.

Loyd is a 14-year coaching veteran who, before a season with Akron, spent five years in a similar role at the University of Virginia, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament three times during his tenure. Before that, he spent five years at the University of Arizona, following two seasons at Colorado State. Loyd also played professionally in Switzerland for three years.

He will replace assistant Leigh Gregory, who left the team after one season.