Xavier College Preparatory has hired Mary Hauser as the new head varsity basketball coach.

The Gators have had six successful seasons with former head coach Jennifer Gillom. Gillom resigned from her position after she was recently named head coach for the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks.

Hauser hopes to experience the same success that Gillom did. Hauser has coached basketball at the high school level for 18 years. During her own playing career, she played for California State in Fresno.

“I hope to obviously continue the tradition that Jen has started there, to continue the success and add to it,” Hauser said. “Most importantly, I want to compete every day.”

Hauser comes to Xavier with a winning history. She was 50-0 at Southern California Catholic High School. She had a 125-15 record at Mater Dei High School, also in Calif. Her team there was nationally ranked.

Hauser has already worked in Ariz. She coached at Salpointe Catholic High School in Tuscon, and her team won 80 percent of its games. She was named 1996 California Girls’ High School Basketball Coach of the Year.

Hauser knows that coaching a winning team will take a lot of work, but she is looking forward to having the opportunity to empower young women.

“Playing was easier,” Hauser said. “Coaching can be challenging, but also rewarding.”

Hauser plans to have Xavier play a defensive style.

She will implement something called “motivational chapel” into the program. Each player will be required to go to practice with an inspirational quote, song or video for the team.

“It helps the kids realize that together they take this journey,” Hauser said.

According to the press release issued by Xavier media relations, Xavier was looking for a teacher that had the ability to coach and who could build on Xavier’s already triumphant basketball program.