Heather Kearney joined Appalachian’s staff in the spring of 2009, after a one-year stint as the head coach at California (Pa.) University and immediately turned the Mountaineers into one of the most dominant offenses in the Southern Conference.

As the mastermind behind an aggressive, fast-paced offense, Kearney has seen the Mountaineers lead the SoCon in scoring in each of the past three seasons while averaging nearly 70 points per game. In addition, the Apps have outscored their opponents by an average of eight points per game (68.7-59.3). App State has also ranked in the top five of the conference in every major offensive category each of the past four seasons.

Kearney’s efforts with the Mountaineer offense have resulted in the Apps having at least one player rank among the SoCon’s top-five scorers for four-straight years, including the league’s scoring champion in 2012-13 (Anna Freeman - 16.4 points per game). Under Kearney’s tutelage, the Apps have scored 80 or more points in 24 contests and have eclipsed the 70-point mark on 59 occasions.

During her four seasons in the High Country, the Apps have had at least three players average double-figures in scoring every season, including the banner 2010-11 season when three players averaged at least 14 points.

As the head coach at California University in 2008-09, Kearney led the squad to an NCAA Elite Eight appearance and a final national ranking of No. 4. In her only season as head coach of the Vulcans, the team posted a 29-5 record, including a spotless 17-0 mark on their home court. The team also captured the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference West title, won the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional tournament and Kearney nabbed PSAC West Coach of the Year honors.

As an assistant and associate head coach she helped the Vulcans achieve eight-straight NCAA tournament appearances, seven PSAC West championships, four conference crowns and win the NCAA Division II National Championship in 2004.

Kearney played under Darcie Vincent at Slippery Rock from 1995-1999. She led The Rock to an NCAA Division II East Regional championship and was named a Kodak all-American. She was the PSAC West Rookie of the Year in 1996 and finished her career with as the school’s career-leading scorer and second in career-rebounding and was inducted into Slippery Rock’s Hall of Fame in 2010.

The Harrisville, Pa. native earned an undergraduate degree in sports management from Slippery Rock in 1999 and completed a master’s degree in counseling from The Rock in 2003.