He began in his new role on July 3.

Bruce becomes the third head coach in the program’s history and the first full-time women’s coach. He joins Micah Shrewsberry, who was named the men’s basketball coach in July 2005.

Bruce comes to IU South Bend from Valparaiso University, where he was an associate coach for the women’s team from 2003-06. Bruce was the assistant coach from 1999-2003 at Valparaiso.

While at Valparaiso, the Crusaders went 123-89 (.580) and won the Mid-Continent Conference regular season title in 2001-2002, two Mid-Continent Conference Tournament championships, two NCAA Tournament appearances and a WNIT quarterfinal appearance.

While with Valparaiso, Bruce was in charge of the defense, interior post players, scouting, summer camps and assisting with recruiting.

Prior to his stint at Valparaiso, Bruce coached a middle school boy’s team in Bowling Green, Ky., leading them to two Southern Kentucky Middle School championships.

Bruce also excelled in the classroom. He was nominated three times as Outstanding Young Educator in Warren County, Ky. Bruce earned Teacher of the Year and Excellence in Teaching awards and the was the recipient of the National League of Junior Cotillion award for best mannered teacher.

Bruce, who is originally from Washington, D.C., played football at Ohio Wesleyan University and was captain his senior year. He graduated from OWU in 1981 with a bachelor’s of arts degree in physical education. In 1984, he earned a master’s degree from Morehead State University, Morehead, Ky.