Courtney Burns
Courtney Burns

Bio


Courtney Burns enters her sixth season as head coach of the women's basketball program at Mitchell College in 2022-23.

Burns led the Mariners to their first-ever New England Collegiate Conference championship and NCAA postseason last season. Mitchell advanced to the NECC Championship finals with a road win over second-seeded Eastern Nazarene College, earning a spot in the title game for the first time in school history. The Mariners then clinched the conference crown with a 85-74 victory over top-seeded New England College, claiming the NECC's automatic bid for the NCAA Championship. Six days later, Mitchell took on top-ranked Christopher Newport University in the opening round of the NCAA tournament in Baltimore, Md.

Burns had three players take home major awards in 2022, as the program produced the NECC's Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and Co-Rookie of the Year. Senior forward Amina Wiley became the program's first three-time all-conference first team selection, and she also garnered all-region recognition from both D3hoops.com and the New England Women's Basketball Association. 

In 2020, Mitchell finished with a 16-11 record in that included the most non-conference victories (5) since the program joined the NCAA Division III ranks. The Mariners won double-digit conference games for the third straight year under Burns and advanced to the NECC Championship semifinals. 

In 2019 the program recorded the most wins (17) in a season in the program's Division III era. The Mariners finished with a 15-3 record in league play and tied for first in the regular season standings, advancing to the semifinals of the conference tournament before bowing out. The program produced the NECC Rookie of the Year as well as three all-conference honorees, and for her efforts Burns was tabbed NECC Coach of the Year.

A native of Rockland, Mass., Burns has coaching experience at both the NCAA Division II and III levels. Prior to joining the Mariners she served as an assistant coach at Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, N.H. She also spent time as an assistant at both Southern Connecticut State University and Johnson & Wales University.

Burns was named to the SNHU women's basketball staff in the summer of 2015. For two seasons she assisted in all facets of the program, serving as offensive coordinator and focusing on guard development. As offensive coordinator she was charged with implementing the read and react offense, and she was also responsible for recruiting, opponent scouting, and film breakdown and exchange.

Prior to SNHU, Burns served a season as an assistant coach at Southern Connecticut in 2014-15. At the time she was the youngest assistant in the Northeast-10 Conference, and she helped lead the Owls to the fifth-best league record despite being selected last (15th) in the preseason polls. She spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach at Johnson & Wales, working with guards and post players and helping the Wildcats to their first postseason win since 2009.

Burns joined the coaching ranks after a four-year playing career at Rhode Island College. A captain in her final two seasons, she played in 103 career games and averaged 8.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per contest. During her four years the Anchorwomen won 77 games and enjoyed a pair of 20-win seasons, including a 2011-12 campaign (25-4 overall) in which the program won its first-ever Little East Conference title and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Following college, Burns continued her playing career with a stint with the Brockton Lady Thunder. She also represented the United States in a four-game tour of Italy with American International Sports.

In addition to coaching, Burns has a background in strength and conditioning. She serves as the strength and conditioning coach for multiple Mitchell programs, creating and overseeing work outs in the on-campus fitness center. She has also played a huge role in the recent overhaul the facility, upgrading equipment and machines to the benefit of all student-athletes.

Burns graduated from RIC in 2014 with a degree in mathematics. She is currently pursuing a Master's in sports management at SNHU. 

 

 

 

 

Meet The Coach
Ashley Wilson

Ashley Wilson will enter her first season as the head coach of the Mitchell College women's basketball program in the 2023-23 academic year.

Wilson, who will make her collegiate head coaching debut with the Mariners, arrives in New London after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at Division I Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut. She takes over for Courtney Burns who compiled a 76-63 record across six seasons at Mitchell while guiding the Mariners to consecutive NECC championships and the program's first two appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

"We are so excited to welcome Ashley Wilson as our next head women's basketball coach," commented Finlayson. "Ashley's basketball acumen will serve the program well and her leadership will be an asset for Mitchell College. We believe that she will build great relationships with our student-athletes and be able to recruit in a climate that is always changing. We want to continue the success of the women's hoops program as we enter the GNAC and feel like Ashley is the perfect person for the job."

During her time as an assistant coach at Central Connecticut, Wilson had a wide variety of responsibilities, which included serving as an individual position coach for a player who was named All-Northeast Conference Second Team and became the 17th player in program history to score 1,000 points. Wilson served as a 4/5 position coach, led individual workouts, led individual film sessions, handled scouting of opponents, and developed game plans of opponents.

"I would like to thank my supportive wife, Leana, my parents (Connie, Jeff), and brother (Jeff Jr.)," shared Wilson. "I would also like to thank my college coach/mentor, Carrie Lohr. This is a wonderful opportunity for me. I can't tell you how excited I am to get started. I am honored to lead this group of young women. I look forward to developing the student athletes on and off the court."

Additional roles which Wilson handled while at CCSU included in-game offensive play calling, post-game film breakdown, regional recruiting in Connecticut, game day operations, team travel itineraries, and budgeting. She also served as training room liaison, providing health services updates and rehab programs for incoming and returning student athletes, as well as strength and conditioning liaison, producing regular updates and adjustments.

Prior to arriving at CCSU, Wilson spent the 2020-21 season as the head coach of the women's basketball program at Putnam Science Academy in Putnam, Connecticut. While with the Mustangs, Wilson handled all aspects of running the women's prep basketball program, including scheduling, recruiting, budgeting, and practice planning.

"One of my biggest strengths is being relatable," Wilson said. "I am a former student athlete, so I have been through this journey before. Therefore, I can give insight and advice from an athlete perspective. I am very positive, enthusiastic and supportive. I feel my passion for the game is shown through my coaching style. My energy is contagious and will help fuel the team at times."

Following her playing career overseas in Portugal and China, Wilson began coaching in China as a basketball trainer for Five Star Sports, working with both male and female athletes and leading Nike, NBA and CBA event clinics. She then spent a year working at Nike Rise Academy as trainer where she instructed young adults in basketball sessions ranging from "Fundamental 1" to "Elite" trainings. It was here where she also crafted various levels of professional training upon assessment of individual skill sets.

Wilson played collegiately at Division II Wayne State University from 2012-2016. While there, she helped lead the team to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and graduated as the program's career leader in free throw percentage. During her career with the Warriors, Wilson averaged 17 points, eight rebounds, two blocks, and two steals per game.

"I am extremely excited about the future of Mitchell," continued Wilson. "We have great pieces coming back to the team and will add others as we build our roster for the upcoming season. Our future is bright as we intend to continue the success of previous years. The sky is the limit, that's how I feel here. I am goal oriented and disciplined. Expectations will be known upfront. Team goals will be set and every day we will strive to reach our end goals. Every day matters along the way and we will build day by day."

Wilson holds a B.A. in Public Relations with a minor in business from Wayne State University.

 
...