TUSCALOOSA | The Tuscaloosa News has learned that Louisiana Tech associate head coach and former University of Alabama standout Joni Crenshaw will join the Crimson Tide’s women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach.

Crenshaw returns to Alabama after three years at Troy University and three years at Louisiana Tech. She is the first addition to the staff made by new coach Wendell Hudson, who was recently named the eighth women’s basketball coach in UA history replacing Stephany Smith who was fired after three seasons.

While at Troy, Crenshaw served as a recruiting coordinator and signed two Atlantic Sun Conference Freshmen of the Year players in Laura Lee Holman (2004) and Amy Lewis (2005).

A native of Meridian, Miss., Crenshaw lettered four years at UA and is ranked third in career blocked shots (103). She was named to the Southeastern Conference’s Academic Honor Roll four times (1998-2001).