UNA has hired Missy Tiber to coach the women’s basketball team for the 2013-2014 season, said officials from the athletics department.

Tiber is from Bellaire, Ohio, where she is the youngest of six children. She attended West Liberty State where she received a Bachelor of Science degree and began her coaching career as an assistant women’s basketball coach.

She received a Master’s degree in sport leadership from Virginia Commonwealth University and served as head coach at Tusculum University, Belmont Abbey College, and Southern Illinois University.

Tiber said she is excited to be back in the Division-II atmosphere.

“I’m very fortunate to step into the program,” she said. “My job is to come in here and take the next step.

“Basketball is my passion. I like watching both men and women’s basketball, and studying the game to use plays for my own team.”

Tiber said she has enjoyed the “true southern hospitality and quality” of Florence.

“It reminds of Southern Illinois, and I’m happy to be here,” she said.

Tiber resigned from the head coaching position at SIU in January after several unsuccessful seasons, officials said.