LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ – Rider University head women's basketball coach Jackie Hartzell has announced the completion of her staff for the upcoming 2025-26 season. Jim Ricci, Denise King, and Kaitlyn Lewis will join the staff as assistant coaches.
 
"I am extremely excited to bring such a great group of coaches to Rider," said Hartzell. "They are talented, experienced, motivated, and ready to get to work. I'm so grateful for the opportunity to work with them and begin building our foundation for success."
 
JIM RICCI
 
Ricci was previously on staff with Hartzell for the past two seasons at Arcadia, helping the Knights secure a program record for victories in 2023-24 and the program's first appearance in a conference championship game.
 
Prior to his time at Arcadia, Ricci spent a season as an assistant at Penn, helping guide the Quakers to a 17-12 record and WNIT bid. Ricci was also with Hartzell for seven seasons at USciences, where the pair compiled a 168-48 record, five CACC South Division Titles, and three CACC Tournament Championships, reaching the NCAA Division II Sweet 16 in 2018.
 
Ricci also has head coach experience at the high school level, coaching Archbishop Wood for nine years, seven as head coach, including three-straight PIAA 3A state titles between 2010 and 2012. He also coached the St. Matthew's boy's team for 24 seasons, amassing a 552-122 record, winning five Philadelphia Archdiocesan City Titles, a Middle Atlantic States Championships and six Philadelphia Region 1 League championships. His teams also made four Pennsylvania State Final Four appearances.
 
"Jim and I have been coaching together for many years and I'm so grateful to continue working with him at Rider," said Hartzell. "He is a proven winner at all levels and has played a major role in my development as a coach. He is a great teacher of the game and has a passion for developing players. His tireless work ethic and knowledge of the game will help our players reach their maximum potential."
 
DENISE KING
 
King comes to Lawrenceville after seven seasons at UMass Lowell, including a four-year run as head coach beginning in 2021. As head coach, King led the River Hawks to back-to-back America East Tournament appearances, earning the #5 seed in 2021-22 and the #7 seed in 2022-23. During her time as an assistant, the River Hawks won a D-I program record 16 games in 2019-20.
 
Before joining the River Hawk staff, King spent five seasons as an assistant coach at Hofstra from 2013-18. While with the Pride, Hofstra recorded back-to-back, 20-win seasons with victories against Big East and ACC opponents and two berths into WNIT, including a trip to the Elite 8. She spent four seasons at MAAC-rival Mount St. Mary's from 2009-13, following her first coaching experience from 2005-09 at her alma mater Rhode Island.
 
"We are very fortunate to add DK to our coaching staff at Rider," said Hartzell. "She has a strong background in coaching, and has had great success developing players both on and off the court. She is very well-respected and has an incredible reputation in the women's basketball community. Her years of experience and expertise will impact all areas of our program."
 
KAITLYN LEWIS
 
Lewis joins Rider after spending last season at her alma mater American University, following two seasons at fellow Patriot League school Lehigh. At Lehigh, Lewis was a key figure in mentoring Frannie Hottinger, the 2023 Patriot League Player of the Year.
 
Prior to her time at Lehigh, Lewis spent three seasons at the University of Scranton, helping guide the team to a 27-3 record and NCAA Division III Sweet 16 appearance in 2022. She also helped lead the Lady Royals to conference championships in 2020 and 2021 and she was recognized as a Top Thirty Under 30 honoree by the WBCA.
 
"It is important to have people like Kait as we build our program," said Hartzell. "She brings contagious positive energy and will be an incredible mentor for our players. She has proven to be a phenomenal relationship builder, player development specialist, and excellent recruiter. Her personality, energy, and work ethic will make a great addition to our program."