New Gophers women's basketball coach Marlene Stollings' staff continues to grow.

The university announced on Monday that John (Mo) Motherwell is Stollings' second new assistant, joining former VCU assistant coach Niki Dawkins.

Motherwell is the "local connection" Stollings was expected to add. The Michigan graduate has coached at Minnesota State- Moorhead as well as Concordia-St. Paul in a collegiate coaching career that dates to 2000.

"I am extremely excited about the addition of Coach Mo and his family to our program," Stollings said in a release. "He is a proven recruiter who is well connected in the state of Minnesota, as well as the surrounding region. Coach Mo has a tireless work ethic and an extreme passion for the Gophers. He is a tremendous asset to our Gopher family."

Motherwell, who has been heavily involved in recruiting throughout his career, also coached as an assistant for one season at North Dakota and spent five years at Wisconsin-Milwaukee. There, he helped to solidify a bevy of highly touted recruits.

"I am beyond excited to be joining coach Marlene at the University of Minnesota," Motherwell said. "She is regarded as one of the brightest and most innovative minds in the game, and to have the opportunity to coach with her is such an honor. As a longtime Gopher fan, I was thrilled by her hiring and am so happy to work for a school and state that I love so much."

Amelia Rayno • 612-673-4115