Photo Credits: Andy Walter via Mount Holyoke Athletics
By Gia Gu ’26
Staff Writer
Following six years as an assistant basketball coach at Juniata College, Abby Wemhoff has stepped into the role of head coach for Mount Holyoke College’s varsity basketball team. As a former Division III basketball player at University of Mount Union, with coaching experiences at both Waynesburg University and Juniata College, Wemhoff hopes to bring “good energy” to the team in an effort to have the players encourage each other during the season. She approaches coaching with an emphasis on attitude and effort, aiming not only to impart technical skills but also to cultivate qualities of character that will serve her players on and off the court.
While Wemhoff played both softball and basketball during high school, earning four letters in softball and three in basketball, her true passion has always been basketball. “Softball was fun to play, but I didn’t love it as much as basketball,” Wemhoff explained in an interview with Mount Holyoke News. “The fast pace of basketball, the way you move, the fluidity, the team concept where you need all five players to be on the same page. I just really enjoyed and loved [it], and so that’s what made me want to continue to play after high school.”
After graduating college with a degree in physical education, Wemhoff initially took a job as a K-6 physical education teacher, making it her first year without a basketball season since the age of eight. “I was like, ooh, something’s missing. I don’t really know what it is,” Wemhoff recalled. Reading a book by former Tennessee Volunteers Basketball Coach Pat Summitt reaffirmed her love for basketball and solidified her decision to pursue coaching.
“I read her book, and I was like, oh, it’s basketball. Like, I missed basketball. I want to get into coaching,” Wemhoff said. Seeking guidance from her former college coach and a former teammate who was entering the coaching field, Wemhoff began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Waynesburg University during the 2017-18 season, then transitioned to Juniata College for the 2018-19 season.
From the moment Wemhoff began coaching, she fell in love with it. She loved connecting with the players and building strong bonds. “Once I got into it, I was like, yep, I love it. I love coaching. I love being a part of … my players’ lives while they’re in college, and it goes beyond learning the game and all that.” Wemhoff said.
At Juniata College, Wemhoff initially took on responsibilities similar to those she had at Waynesburg, working with post players and assisting in recruitment. Her role, however, quickly expanded, allowing her coaching skills to develop. By the end of her time at Juniata, she was performing duties nearly equivalent to those of a head coach.
“So I had my part in practice, planning every single day, watching film, helping with scouts. At that point, I was deemed the recruiting coordinator of the program, so I kept everything organized within recruiting and things of that sort,” Wemhoff said. This experience prepared for her new role at Mount Holyoke, which she began in May 2024.
In her first month at Mount Holyoke, Wemhoff focused on learning about the team’s past experiences, assessing players’ strengths and identifying areas for improvement. She said she appreciates her players’ receptiveness to new approaches and aims to create an environment that encourages them to push their limits. When talking about added pressure from previous season records on her in her new role, Wemhoff acknowledged high expectations for herself and a competitive drive to help the team to succeed. “I’m very competitive, so I obviously want to win,” she stated candidly.
Yet, she is realistic about the process.
“We need to focus on what we can control in these moments, and then the big things are going to come as they go,” she said. Rather than expecting an overnight transformation, Wemhoff believes that significant progress is rooted in fundamentals. “Let’s work from the ground, from the fundamentals, and build up and really do our best to do the details properly every single day, because the small details would lead to big things,” she said.
Wemhoff’s core expectations for her players are simple but essential: attitude and effort. Wemhoff said she views these elements as the backbone of a strong team culture. “Those are two things you can always control. So I expect them to come in with good attitudes and give me their best efforts,” she said. “I’m not saying you gotta come in and be like cheering, right? But like you, you’re focused. Your mindset’s there. You’re ready to give all that you got for your teammates and for yourself.” Building the proper culture and habits is her primary focus, especially during a long season that spans October to February. “I’m hoping to build a strong family foundation where we build trust with one another. We’re able to hold each other accountable and just be … very healthy interpersonal[ly, that’s] what I’m looking for.” Wemhoff said.
As communication and strong bonds are central to her coaching style, Wemhoff dedicates time to meaningful conversations, helping players to grow as both athletes and individuals. “I want every player to leave the program learning one thing from me that sticks with them for the rest of their lives. And it doesn’t have to be Xs and Os on the court, like it could be learning about some life skill that we talk through throughout their time,” Wemhoff said.
With her first season ahead, Wemhoff feels encouraged by her team’s hard work and the collaborative spirit within Mount Holyoke’s athletic community. “I think there’s a ton of opportunity for the team this year,” Wemhoff remarked, “and I hope we’re able to see some great successes along the way.”