SPOKANE, Wash. – Thanks to new NCAA coaching rules, Erika Bean and Haiden Palmer have been designated to new roles after being part of the Gonzaga women's basketball program for multiple seasons. Bean has been named an assistant coach and the director of player personnel after serving as a graduate assistant for the program. Palmer remains the video coordinator for the team and will also now be an assistant coach.

Bean has served as a graduate assistant for the last two years for the Zags and earned her Master's in Sport and Athletic Administration this past May.

"Erika has made an immediate impact on our program since she arrived two years ago," Fortier said. "She's an amazing relationship builder and someone who naturally values people the way we do at Gonzaga. She has all the tools to make a bigger and bigger impact on our staff, and I'm thrilled she's moving into this new role."

Prior to coming to Gonzaga, Bean played four years at the University of Utah and graduated with a degree in Kinesiology before playing professionally overseas. She currently ranks No. 4 all-time at Utah in career assists and played in 126 career games with 91 career starts. During her senior year, she ranked third in the Pac-12 and 19th nationally in assists per game with 5.7 as she started all 30 games at point guard.

"Gonzaga is truly a special place," Bean said. "These past two years have been an incredible experience working alongside a remarkable coaching staff and student-athletes. I am extremely grateful to Coach Lisa and the administration for the opportunity to continue to be a part of the program in this new role."

Going into her second season as the video coordinator, Haiden Palmer now also serves as an assistant coach for the Gonzaga women's basketball team.

"Haiden is an all-time great Zag, and she embodies the idea of servant leadership as well as anyone I have met," Fortier said. "To have Haiden interacting with the players and sharing her experience and perspective is one of the best gifts we can give them. I'm grateful she wants to continue to give back to this program."

Palmer was selected in the third round (29th overall) in the 2014 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever. She became the fifth player in Zag women's basketball history to be drafted by the WNBA. Palmer played the 2014 Preseason schedule with the Fever before being released.

During her senior season at GU, she led the team in points (15.1), rebounds (5.5) and steals per game (3.0), while also dishing out 2.6 assists per game. Palmer, named All-WCC for the third-consecutive year her senior year, scored in double-figure points in 27 of 34 contests, including six games with 20 or more points. She registered three double-figure rebounding games and had two double-doubles. She was named Associated Press All-American honorable mention, becoming the fourth Zag in school history to earn the accolade.

Palmer graduated from Gonzaga with a bachelor's degree in Sports Management. She went on to earn her Master's in Communication and Leadership at GU as well.
 
"I'm very grateful for the opportunity to coach with these elite coaches and players," Palmer said. "I've already learned so much, and being an alumni here makes it even sweeter."