After 5 season at St. Francis women's basketball head coach, Susan Robinson Fruchtl has been hired to lead the Providence Friars women's basketball program.

Robinson Fruchtl helped restore a Red Flash basketball program which went 11-46 in the two seasons prior to her arrival. She went 74-83 in her five years in Loretto, but led the Flash to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, winning the Northeast Conference tournament title in 2010 and 2011.

"I'd like to thank all of the assistants who have been here over the past five seasons -- I really appreciate their effort and it paid off," said Robinson Fruchtl. "I'd also like to thank the support staff, the administration and especially the players. They gave everything they had and it's been a joy to have coach at Saint Francis.

"While I'll miss everyone here, I'm looking forward to this new opportunity."

St. Francis will begin a national search for a new head coach. Fourth-year assistant Joe Haigh will oversee the program's day-to-day operations.

"Susan has been an outstanding coach for us but more importantly, a great member of the Saint Francis community," said St. Francis athletic director Bob Krimmel. "We thank Susan for her work in restoring the women's basketball program and placing us in a position to be successful as we move forward under new leadership."

Robinson Fruchtl led the Red Flash to three consecutive appearances in the Northeast Conference Tournament championship game. After losing to Sacred Heart in 2009, St. Francis returned to the NEC title game in 2010, defeating Long Island before falling to Ohio State in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. In 2010-11, St. Francis compiled a 22-12 record, winning the NEC regular season, then defeating Monmouth for their second consecutive tournament championship. The Red Flash received a 13-seed in the NCAA Tournament -- tying for their highest seed in school history -- while Robinson Fruchtl won NEC Coach of the Year.