DePaul women's basketball team will prepare for season without coach Doug Bruno

DePaul women's basketball will be without coach Doug Bruno as they begin preparing for the 2024-25 season.

According to the program, Bruno experienced a medical incident last month and is recovering at home. In Bruno's absence, Jill M. Pizzotti will serve as the Blue Demons' interim coach. Pizzotti has been with the program since 2011 and has served as Bruno's associate head coach for 11 seasons.

The program does not have a timeline for Bruno's expected return. However, its statement read that Bruno "looks forward to returning to team activities as soon as possible."

Bruno's impact on women's basketball cannot be overstated.

He has been at the helm of the DePaul women's basketball program since 1988, amassing a 759-389 total record. Last year, DePaul helped make history playing in the "Crossover at Kinnick" — an exhibition game between the Blue Demons and Hawkeyes played at Kinnick Stadium. A record-breaking 55,646 fans were in attendance.

His youth basketball camps — which he began in 1980 — have been a den of future WNBA talent, drawing attendees like Candace Parker, Allie Quigley and Jewell Loyd.

Between 2002 and 2020 Bruno led DePaul to 18 consecutive NCAA Tournaments, including four Sweet Sixteen appearances. The tournament was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, Bruno was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

This year, the team is comprised of six freshmen, two transfers and eight returning players. The team began official practices last Wednesday in preparation of their first exhibition game on October 18 against Lewis. Their season tips off at 11 a.m. Nov. 6 against Mercyhurst at Wintrust Arena.