Bernadette Locke Wins Ky. Coach Post : Basketball: She is the first female assistant coach for a Division I men’s basketball program.

Bernadette Locke was named an assistant basketball coach at Kentucky today, becoming the first female assistant for a Division I men’s basketball program.

Her hiring was made public by Kentucky Athletics Director C. M. Newton at a late morning news conference.

“We are extremely excited to have someone of Bernadette Locke’s qualifications in the Kentucky program,” Kentucky head Coach Rick Pitino said.

“She has been one of the top female assistant coaches in the country and comes to us with the highest compliments of every coach we contacted.”

Pitino said Locke’s duties will be the same as all his assistants, including on-court coaching and recruiting. He said her special emphasis would be on career placement.

Pitino earlier had drawn criticism from some who said Locke’s duties would be limited to clerical work and she would be used mainly as a publicity gimmick.

Locke, 31, was asked if she considered herself a pioneer.

“I haven’t thought about it. It’s a great opportunity. If it paves the way or helps others into coaching, I want to see that happen,” she said.