No stranger to professional women’s basketball, Chmiel has WNBA ties, serving as an advance scout for the Indiana Fever and Detroit Shock and as an assistant coach for the Charlotte Sting. He mentored former Lady Lions Helen Darling and Kelly Mazzante while with the Sting for the 2005 season. Additionally, he was the head coach of the San Jose Spiders of the National Women’s Basketball League in 2006 where he led the Spiders to their best franchise record and a runner-up finish in the NWBL. Chmiel began his coaching career in men’s basketball with stints as the head coach at Lassen College (1999-05) and at his alma mater Feather River College (1995-99), both of which are in California. He led Lassen College to three Golden Valley Conference titles in his six seasons at the helm. Chmiel also served as an assistant men’s coach at Feather River College in 1994-95. A standout guard at Feather River College in Quincy, Calif., Chmiel averaged 12.5 points and 6.0 assists in two seasons. He was a first team All-Golden Valley Conference choice and was a two-time team Defensive MVP. Following his junior college career, Chmiel played for two seasons at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. Chmiel earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal studies from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. He and his wife, Julie, a Pittsburgh native, reside in State College with their daughter, Skylar Rosa (1).
THE CHMIEL FILE COACHING RESUME 2010-pres. - Assistant Coach, Penn State University 2008-10 - Assistant Coach, San Diego State University 2006-08 - Assistant Coach, Temple University 2006-08 - Advance Scout, Detroit Shock (WNBA) 2006 - Head Coach, San Jose Spiders (NWBL) 2004-05 - Assistant Coach, Charlotte Sting (WNBA) 1999-05 - Men’s Head Coach, Lassen College 1995-99 - Men’s Head Coach, Feather River College 1994-95 - Men’s Assistant Coach, Feather River College
GET TO KNOW FRED v My favorite actor is Jack Nicholson. v My favorite TV show is Hell’s Kitchen. v My favorite website is ESPN.com. v My favorite childhood TV show was Oakland Raiders football games. v My favorite place to shop is the Nike Outlet. v My favorite snack is freeze pops. v My dream car is an Audi A8 LOADED! v My nickname is Freddy C or Chico.
PLAYING EXPERIENCE 1992-94 - University of Alaska-Fairbanks 1990-92 - Feather River College
v People don’t know this about me, but I was a commercial fisherman in Alaska. v I can’t go a day without sugar free Red Bull. v My most treasured possession is my family, including the Min Pins. v When I was little, I wanted to be a basketball player or jet pilot when I grew up. v My favorite place to visit is Isla Mujeras.
EDUCATION Excelsior College (B.S. Liberal Studies)
NOTABLE Fred grew up in Alaska.
2011-12 Penn State Lady Lion Yearbook
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