BOZEMAN, Mont. – Mandy Close, a 2002 graduate of Bozeman High School and current assistant director of operations with the Oregon State women’s basketball program, has been named an assistant coach at Montana State University, announced Bobcat head coach Tricia Binford.

The MSU vacancy came open after Katie Falco recently took an assistant coaching position at South Dakota State.

“We’re very excited to have Mandy as part of the coaching staff at Montana State,” Binford said. “She has found success both athletically and academically and will be a great example and role model for our players. Mandy is very motivated, and her experiences at Oregon State will only benefit us as we look to move to the next level.”

Close, who played at Oregon State from 2002-06, was part of the Beavers’ coaching staff the past two seasons where her responsibilities included travel, accommodations and meals, film exchange, director of team managers, and the OSU summer camps.

Close played in 121 games at OSU and ended her career with an outstanding senior campaign, averaging 13.3 points per game and dishing out 149 assists as the Beavers advanced to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament. She served as the OSU team captain for two seasons, and led the squad to three WNIT appearances in four years.

“Not only does Mandy have ties to the community, but she is also well known in the Northwest,” Binford added. “She had success as a student-athlete and I’m confident that will carry over as she begins her coaching career.”

Close excelled off the court during her career at OSU. She was selected to the Pacific-10 Conference All-Academic First Team as a senior. That same year, she was a CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection. In addition, Close was named the 2006 OSU-Carol Menken Schaudt award winner for leadership.

She received two degrees from Oregon State; one in human development and family sciences and the other in elementary education.

“I grew up a Bobcat and it’s an honor to come back home and represent the University,” Close said. “Coach Binford is doing great things with the program. This will be a tremendous opportunity for me to grow in the profession and to learn from a great coaching staff.”

Close comes from a strong Bobcat heritage as both her father and mother competed at Montana State. Her father, John, was a member of the 1976 National Championship football squad, while mother, Kathy, was a track and field standout with the Bobcats.

Close also served as a volunteer student manager at MSU beginning at eight-years-old.

As a prepster, she was a two-time all-state selection under head coach Rick Jordan. Close was part of two Hawk state championship teams.

Falco leaves MSU after three seasons. “It was a tremendous career opportunity for Katie. It was also important for her to get closer to family,” Binford said. “We are sad to see her go, but we’ll remember the impact she had on the MSU program. She’ll be successful wherever she goes.”

Close has already started her duties at Montana State