COLUMBUS, Miss. – A former head coach and administration at Valley, Danielle Douglas, has been hired as the first head men's and women's track & field coach at the Mississippi University for Women. 

Now going by Danielle Ferguson, she returns to the Magnolia State after four seasons at the University of Wisconsin - River Falls. 

"We wish Danielle all the best as she starts her new position at the Mississippi University for Women." MVSU Director of Athletics Dianthia Ford-Kee.

Ferguson served as head coach for Valley's track & field and cross country teams from 2012-14. During that time, she led the men's cross country team to consecutive SWAC championships in 2012 and 2013. The accolades led her to be named the SWAC's men's cross country Coach of the Year twice. The women's cross country teams placed second in the SWAC Championship Meet in 2012 and 2013.

Before running both squads, Ferguson led the women's programs at MVSU from 2008-12. During that span, she coached 78 All-SWAC performers, seven-event champions, a pair of most outstanding meet performers and NCAA Regional qualifiers, and one USATF Junior National qualifier.

In addition to her duties on the track, she served as the interim senior women's administrator and an academic advisor from 2008-10. 

Founded in 1884, the Mississippi University for Women was the first public women's college in the United States. "The W" has been a co-ed institution since 1982 and currently educates around 2,500 students. Athletic teams are known as the Owls, and the school is a member of the United States Collegiate Athletic Association.