Bio

Olivia Besancon, a Wayne County star who helped nearby Smithville High School to two state semifinalist appearances, has been named head women’s basketball coach at The College of Wooster. Besancon started at the College on August 26, 2024.

Besancon brought six years of collegiate coaching experience to the College, including four as a NCAA Div. III assistant. Most recently, Besancon spent three seasons at Muskingum University. Besancon was heavily involved with the Fighting Muskies’ recruiting, game preparations, travel logistics, and game strategy. At Muskingum, Besancon helped lead a robust community service program, was active with team fundraising efforts, and conducted academic progress checks with team members. Outside of coaching, Besancon served as the gameday operations manager for home men’s and women’s lacrosse games, was the advisor for Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and was a physical education instructor.

Prior to Muskingum, Besancon was an assistant coach at Heidelberg University and started her coaching career at Malone University as a graduate assistant. Besancon’s lead duties with both Heidelberg and Malone centered on recruiting, game preparations, travel logistics, and game strategy.

As a player, Besancon was a second-team All-Ohio Athletic Conference selection as a senior at Muskingum. The four-year starter and three-year captain was a 1,000-point scorer for the Fighting Muskies. In high school, Besancon helped Smithville to three Wayne Country Athletic League championships and was part of a program that went 95-9.

Besancon earned a bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing from Muskingum and an MBA from Malone.