Minnesota head coach Lindsay Whalen finalized her coaching staff Wednesday with the announcement of the return of Danielle O’Banion as assistant coach.

Previously, Whalen had named Kelly Roysland and Carly Thibault-DuDonis as assistant coaches on her debut staff.

O’Banion was an assistant coach for the Golden Gophers during their best five-season run in school history from 2002-03 to 2006-07. In that span, Minnesota posted five straight winning seasons, including three 25-win campaigns.

The Golden Gophers earned postseason berths all five seasons, including four-consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances from 2003-06. Minnesota advanced to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen in 2003 and 2005 and made the program’s first and only Women’s Final Four in 2004.

While at Minnesota, O’Banion worked with the Golden Gopher backcourt, which included Whalen and Roysland. O’Banion also monitored the team’s academic progress and assisted in recruiting.

“My first five years at Minnesota were so special because of players like Lindsay and Kelly,” O’Banion said. “I am honored to have the opportunity to return to The U and once again represent a world-class university with world-class people.”

O’Banion returns to Minnesota after the second of two stints at the University of Memphis, where she served as associate head coach. Previously, she was at Memphis from 2008-12. She was as an assistant her first two seasons, before being promoted to associate head coach following the 2009-10 campaign.

Following the 2011-12 campaign with Memphis, O’Banion spent four seasons (2012-16) as Kent State’s head coach.