WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. – The Monmouth University women's basketball program has finalized its staff for the 2011-12 season, adding Reggie Carney and Marquetta Dickens as assistant coaches and Meg Tarrant as the Director of Basketball Operations, in addition to retaining assistant coach Jazmina Perazic, head coach Jenny Palmateer announced.

“I could not be happier that I was able to assemble such a great staff as I begin my head coaching career at Monmouth,” said Palmateer. “Each person I was able to bring on board represents a different stop along the way in my basketball journey. The staff has a great mix of experience and youth and we all come from the same mold. Our different strengths will complement each other and help improve the program as we work towards our goals.”

Perazic returns for her second season on the staff, and her first as the program's recruiting coordinator. She will also assist with scheduling, player development and scouting, in addition to community service and clinics. Perazic came to West Long Branch after serving as the head coach at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Maryland for four seasons.

Perazic was named the 2009 Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) District III National Coach of the Year, in addition to earning 2009 Prince George's County Coach of the Year by the county's Gazette newspaper.

Perazic is a 1983 graduate of the University of Maryland where she enjoyed a standout playing career with the Terrapins. She was an All-American during her time in College Park, and earned ACC Tournament Most Valuable honors in 1983 before having her #4 jersey retried. She was a member of the Yugoslavian National Team from 1980-1992, and earned MVP honors of the European Championships. She played for the New York Liberty in 1997 and is a member of the University of Maryland Hall of Fame.

Her Terrapin teams won three ACC Championships, advancing to the Final Four in 1982. She was also a three-time member of the Yugoslavian Olympic team.

“Jazz brings an unmatched energy level and enthusiasm for people and coaching,” said Palmateer. “Her magnetic personality will serve her well as she heads up our recruiting efforts. She is experienced in many areas and much like the other members of the staff, is a person of character that will be a great asset to not only our women's basketball staff but to the Monmouth University community as well.”

Carney, who was Palmateer's coach at Hoffman High School (currently South Amboy High School) in South Amboy, joins the staff for his first season. An  accomplished scholastic coach, Carney will oversee player development, as well as assist with recruiting, game and practice preparation and strength and conditioning.

Carney, who was inducted into the New Jersey Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) Hall of Fame in 2004, logged a 597-97 (.860 winning percentage) record in his 25 years as a head coach at both Hoffman and East Brunswick High School. He was named the Star-Ledger State Coach of the Year in 1986 and led his teams to nine sectional titles, six state championships, the first ever Tournament of Champions Title and a #1 national ranking in 1988. Carney, who is a 1975 graduate of Northern Arizona University, was also inducted into the New Jersey Scholastic Coaches Hall of Fame in 1998, the East Brunswick Hall of Fame in 2009 and the Sayreville War Memorial High School Hall of Fame in 2010, in addition to earning the NJSIAA Distinguished Service Award in 1988. Carney also coached baseball for eight years and cross country for 10 years at South Amboy and softball for nine years and women's golf for four seasons at East Brunswick. 

“Reggie brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the coaching staff,” said Palmateer. “He is extremely passionate about the game of basketball and is a proven winner. He has strong character, unbelievable work ethic and a love for teaching and coaching young people. He is a tremendous addition to the Monmouth family and I am thrilled to have him join the staff.”

Dickens enters her first season as an assistant on the Monmouth bench after spending a pair of seasons at North Carolina Central University. A 2007 graduate of North Carolina State University, Dickens was a four-year starter for the Wolfpack, helping lead the team to the Sweet Sixteen during her senior season. She compiled 989 points and more than 500 rebounds in her time in Raleigh.

Dickens will serve as the team's academic coordinator, as well as be heavily involved in the team's summer camps and taping and breaking down of practice, games and opponent's film, film exchange and development of team and opponent tape breakdown. She will also be involved in player development and recruiting.

After her colligate career was complete, Dickens was invited to attend a few closed tryouts for the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) before beginning a professional playing career in Europe. During her first season as a professional, she played in Rybnik, Poland, where she led the Utex Row Rynik team to a Final Four and it's first-ever playoff appearance. She left Poland as the second-leading scorer on the team and dished out the most assists. Dickens' debut season landed her another season in Povoa de Varzim, Portugal, where she led the CD Povoa/Monte Adriano team in assists, points, and steals.

“Marquetta brings with her a tremendous work ethic and love for the game,” said Palmateer. “As a collegiate player, she was always one of the hardest working, competitive players on the floor. I am confident she will bring her enthusiasm and passion for the game to our program and become a great role model and mentor for the players. I am very excited Marquetta has joined our staff.”

Tarrant enters her first season as the women's program's Director of Basketball Operations. Tarrant comes to MU after serving the last two seasons as the graduate assistant to the women's basketball program at Seton Hall University.  She received her bachelor's degree in business administration, concentrating in sports management, from the university in May of 2009 and received her master's degree in strategic communication from SHU in May.

Tarrant was a team manager for four seasons with the Pirates' women's basketball program, serving as head manager for two years.  In her current role, she will handle all aspects of travel for the MU program, as well as serve as the team's marketing liaison and be heavily involved in the program's logistical efforts and camps.

In addition, Tarrant is a World Champion tap dancer, winning the 2002 title as part of the USA Junior Tap Team that competed in Riesa, Germany.

“Meg is passionate about people and has outstanding interpersonal and technological skills that will play a major role in our community service and marketing efforts,” said Palmateer. “She is a rising star in the business and I feel confident she will impact our program immediately.  She will be a great role model for the players and I feel fortunate to have her join the Monmouth family.”