Virginia Commonwealth University

Ten-year coaching veteran Franqua "Q" Bedellenters his first season as an assistant coach at VCU.  Mostrecently, Bedell served as assistant coach and recruitingcoordinator at Mississippi State University, helping the LadyBulldogs reach their first NCAA Sweet 16 in 2010.

"I am extremely excited about bringing Coach 'Q' Bedell to ourprogram," said VCU Head Coach Marlene Stollings. "He is a proven recruiter who is known for attracting toptalent throughout the country. Most recently, he signedback-to-back Top 50 recruiting classes in the highly regarded SEC. Coach 'Q' exudes a tireless work ethic, passion andenthusiasm that is contagious. His skills and personality will bekey assets in recruiting, developing our young Rams and being apositive force for VCU.  He is a first-rate addition to ourprogram."

While at Mississippi State, Bedell helped develop WNBA draftpicks and all-Southeastern Conference performers Chanel Mokango,Armelie Lumanu and Alexis Rack. The Lady Bulldogs compiled two20-win seasons under his guidance, advanced to two NCAA Tournamentsand finished a program-best third in the SEC in 2010. In addition,Bedell's 2010 and 2011 recruiting classes were ranked No. 41 andNo. 47 in the nation, respectively. Along with player development,his primary responsibilities included the oversight of academics,camps, community service, scouting, on-floor coaching, scheduling,alumni relations and recruiting.

"Words cannot express how excited I am to be a part of CoachStollings' staff and the VCU family," added Bedell.  "Herreputation across the country is impeccable, her drive is beyondmeasure, and I knew that VCU was headed down the road of many A-10championships and NCAA Tournament appearances.  She is avisionary and a tremendous mentor who will help shape and mold thelives of everyone around her.  There was no way I would missthis once in a lifetime opportunity to help be a part of history inthe making."

Known for his relentless recruiting style and tremendous workethic, Bedell was one of 18 women's basketball assistant coachesselected from across the country to participate in the AchievingCoaching Excellence (ACE) program for minority basketball coachesfollowing the 2010 season.

Prior to his four-year stint in Starkville, Miss., Bedell spenttwo seasons at Southeastern Illinois College, one as assistantcoach and the other as head coach. His first season with the LadyFalcons resulted in a fourth place finish at the NJCAA nationaltournament and a No. 1 ranking in the final NJCAA polls. Thefollowing season, Southeastern Illinois finished as the No. 6 teamin the nation after compiling an overall record of 33-4. For hisefforts, Bedell was named the Greater River Athletic ConferenceCoach of the Year, Region 24 Coach of the Year and IBCA Coach ofthe Year in 2008, while two of his student-athletes were namedAll-Americans.

Bedell's collegiate coaching career began in 2003, where hespent two seasons as an assistant coach at Southeastern MissouriState University. In his two years in Cape Girardeau, Mo., hehelped the team to its first Ohio Valley Conference Championshipgame, a school-best 22 wins and a 14-2 conference mark. He alsoassisted in the recruitment of the OVC Player of the Year, TatianaConceicao.

Bedell spent the 2005-06 season as the head freshman girlsbasketball coach at Notre Dame High School in Cape Girardeau, Mo.Bedell also served two seasons at Northside High School in FortSmith, Ark., and two seasons at Hardin-Simmons University inAbilene, Texas.

A native of Fort Smith, Ark., Bedell graduated from theUniversity of the Ozarks in 1999 with a bachelor's degree ingeneral studies. He went on to obtain his master's degree in sportsand recreation management from Hardin-Simmons University in2001.