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University of Richmond women's basketball head coach Michael Shafer enters his eighth season at the helm for Richmond. Shafer has guided the Spiders to four-straight WNIT postseason appearances. The Spiders were awarded a bye in the 2012 Atlantic 10 Tournament  after finishing in the top-4 for the third time in the last four years.

Shafer led Richmond to a 23-9 mark in 2011-12, its most wins since 2008-09 and fewest losses since 2004-05. In the last four seasons, Richmond has won at least 18 games or more and received an invitation to play in the postseason each of those years.

The National Women's Basketball Insider named Shafer one of the nation's top coaches in 2011-12. Shafer was one of 13 coaches that were recognized. Shafer has amassed a 125-95 record while at Richmond, good for second all-time, behind Spiders' longtime coach, Fanny Crenshaw.

Shafer collected his 100^th win against GW last season. He is only one of three coaches at Richmond to eclipse the century mark total.

Shafer has led Richmond to 20-win seasons in three of the last four years and has guided the Spiders to four-straight postseason WNIT appearances.  In 2008-09, Shafer posted the most successful season in his tenure, after helping guide the Spiders to a 24-10 record, a runner-up appearance in the 2009 Atlantic 10 Tournament and school's fourth bid to the WNIT. The 24-10 record marked the most wins since the 1988-89 season and third best overall record in program history.

Shafer has led Richmond to an 125-95 record in his sevens seasons with the Spiders, including four-straight sweeps over in-state rival, George Washington.

Prior to his time at Richmond, Shafer spent 11 years as an assistant coach at the University of Georgia, serving his last two seasons as the associate head coach. He helped lead the Lady Bulldogs to 11-straight NCAA Tournament appearances and four Southeastern Conference championships, three regular-season titles and one tournament title. During his tenure, Georgia posted a 273-85 (.762) record and advanced to three NCAA Final Fours, appearing in the 1996 championship game.

"Coach Shafer has demonstrated superior leadership skills at a national championship level women's basketball program," said Richmond athletic director Jim Miller. "His commitment to the welfare of his student-athletes fits perfectly with our principles at the University of Richmond."

A proven recruiter, he helped Georgia head coach Andy Landers sign five Top 10 freshmen classes and inked the country's fifth best class in 2005. Shafer signed five high school All-Americans while serving his last three years at Georgia as the Lady Bulldogs' recruiting coordinator.

In addition, Shafer was instrumental in the development of current WNBA players Coco Miller, Kelly Miller and Deanna Nolan, a 2003 All-Star.

Shafer was named as one of the nation's Top 10 assistant women's basketball coaches in an informal internet survey of more than 750 coaches and administrators conducted by womenshoopscoop.com in 2003. His numerous contributions to the program were rewarded in June of 2003 when he was promoted to associate head coach.

A 1994 graduate of William & Mary, Shafer earned a spot on the men's basketball team as a walk-on. He served as team co-captain in 1994 and served on the Student-Athletic Council during his senior season.

The Athens, Ga. native received a bachelor's degree in business administration from William & Mary and earned his master's degree in sport management from Georgia in 1997.

Shafer, 40, has two daughters, Sophie Rinne (eight), and Sumner Reese (six).

THE MICHAEL SHAFER FILE
Hometown: Athens, Ga.
Alma Mater: William & Mary '94

SHAFER BY THE NUMBERS
1: Atlantic 10 Championship Final appearance (2009)
2: Shafer ranks second all-time in wins in program history (125)
3: Seasons with 20 wins or more
4: WNIT postseason appearances
8: Years at Richmond
18: Average wins per season in the last four years
125-95: Overall mark at Richmond

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Richmond - Head Coach (2005-present)
University of Georgia - Associate Head Coach (2003-2005)
University of Georgia - Assistant Coach (1996-2003)

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
William & Mary- 1990-1994