The long-term ambition of most college athletes is to take their game to the next level once their careers are over, whether that be playing here in the U.S. or taking their talents overseas to play internationally. For those unable to go that route, most end up transitioning to coaching to continue being involved in the game they love.
For Lindsey Duvall, she chose that route, returning to her alma mater as the Lady Norse director of basketball operations under previous head coach Camryn Volz and continuing the in same capacity under new head coach Jeff Hans.
Duvall transferred to NKU after a brief stint at the University of Louisville and arrived in Highland Heights as the Lady Norse’s first five-star player. A two-time All-Horizon League first team member, she finished her career at NKU with 1,347 points (12th all-time), averaged 17.1 PPG (2nd all-time), grabbed 650 rebounds (18th all-time) and made 130 3-point shots (7th all-time).
The HoriZone Roundtable caught up with Lindsay recently after one of the Lady Norse final summer workouts to discuss what she has been up to since wrapping up her career in the Horizon League Tournament semifinals back in March 2023 and her new role with the Lady Norse program.
HR: So, tell me, how is the new role going and were you excited that Coach Hans asked you to join his staff?
Duvall: The new role is going great, and I was super excited that Coach Hans allowed me to stay on staff. I love NKU and I want to see the program really excel and I was just super happy I could stay on and help the girls and help the coaches.
HR: Describe your day-to-day responsibilities?
Duvall: I try to help Coach Hans as much as I can, so you can say I am sort of his right-hand woman, I guess you can say. Making sure the girls are in the right place and we have everything we need. During the season, I will focus primarily on the logistics and scheduling.
HR: Was getting into the coaching ranks something you always wanted to do, or did this opportunity just arise at the right time?
Duvall: I would say I really, really love basketball. I loved it as a player, and I saw what it did for me not only on the court but off the court. It helped me with all the responsibility and time management. It also taught me so many life lessons that I want to pass that along to the next generation of players and show them you can be great on the court but if you allow it to, basketball can also help you off the court.
HR: Is it odd coaching some of the same girls that you were teammates with when you played or does having played with them make it easier?
Duvall: It can be sort of weird, but I also really like it just because I feel like I know them on a different level so I understand why they may do certain things and with having played with them I usually know their tendencies, so I know what they are thinking. However, I know that familiarity won’t last long since this current group will be the last group that still has girls I played with during my time at NKU. After this, it is all fresh faces.
HR: How have you taken your experience as a player and translated that into your new role?
Duvall: That is a very good question. I feel I can take what I felt worked for me as a player and communicate that to the current group of players, but mostly it is trying to be a positive person for them because at the end of the day, it is just basketball. Getting them to truly cherish this time because it goes so fast and it was for me, the best time of my life.
HR: What is your favorite part of coaching?
Duvall: Just being around the other coaches and all the girls. I enjoy the friendships and the relationships you build because you are with each other 11 months out of the year. Taking things you teach and coach off the court and translating it to the court – I get so excited because it is so fun, and you truly care about all the players and want them to succeed and do well.
HR: What are your impressions of Coach Hans and the staff he has put together?
Duvall: I have no doubt we will do well. He is holding everyone accountable to a very strict standard and I feel that the girls are really going to respond. I feel we will be successful whether it be this upcoming season or next.
HR: How are you feeling about this year’s Lady Norse squad after these early summer workouts?
Duvall: I think the girls have done well considering we have a new staff and some new players. It is always hard; I think they are doing really well with the change. I can see us from June to the middle of July showing positive progression. This group wants to be coached and I feel if they work and come together as a team, we can do well.
HR: Switching back to your time at NKU, what is your best memory in a Norse uniform?
Duvall: I would say getting to the Horizon League Tournament semifinals in Indianapolis. That was such a super fun experience. You truly felt special during the time there from the national coverage to how big the moment was. Just wish it would have turned our different and we would have gotten a win.
HR: Lastly, tell is something that Norse fans or Horizon League fans may not know about you?Duvall: When I was a player, I was very particular and very superstitious – I had to put my shoes on a certain way and my socks had to be a certain way. I am also a huge fan of amusement parks and haunted houses, so my time of year is coming up soon with Halloween and to make it better my birthday is around that time too.
