Photo courtesy of the University of New Hampshire Nashua North alum Kelsey Hogan, left, has been named interim women's head basketball coach at UNH after head coach Maureen Magarity, right, took the head job at Holy Cross.

Kelsey Hogan the last few years has made being a college head women’s basketball coach her top career goal.

Now she’s hopefully reached that accomplishment.

The Nashua High School North alum was appointed Wednesday as the University of New Hampshire interim women’s basketball coach by Wilcats athletic director Marty Scarano

Hogan replaces her longtime mentor, former UNH coach Maureen Magarity, who was named the head coach at the College of the Holy Cross on Tuesday.

Hogan, a former three-year Wildcats captain, has been on the UNH staff since 2014 and last fall was named associate head coach. She played for the Wildcats from 208-2014 – knee woes caused her to be redshirted twice – and was an All America East First Teamer her senior season. Hogan finished as the 12th leading scorer in UNH history with 1,181 points and fourth-most assists at 375.

“Kelsey Hogan was one of the toughest competitors to ever wear a UNH basketball uniform, and that same tenacity has made her successful as a coach,” Scarano said in a statement. “Kelsey has quickly advanced in her career, most recently as associate head coach, and she is more than capable of leading this program of young women, many of whom she recruited.”

Hogan said she met with Scarano Tuesday morning when he offered her the position on an interim basis.

“I was beyond honored and excited about the opportunity,” Hogan said told The Telegraph today, “and the new challenge.”

Scarano said that UNH will conduct a national search for a permanent coach, but that Hogan will be a candidate.

Hogan, since she graduated from North in 2008 after her years as a three-sport athlete (volleyball, basketball, softball), has been at UNH for the better part of 12 years as she was hired to be on Magarity’s staff right after graduation.

“It’s a long time but you know what, a day doesn’t go by when I wished I was somewhere else,” Hogan said. “I really love it there, it’s my second home. It’s a place I’m beyond passionate about and want to continue to grow with.”

Hogan tore her ACL at the start of her career under a previous Wildcat coaching regime and the next year re-tore it in practice, and thus had four years of eligibility when Magarity arrived and played for her the rest of the way.

Hogan said she had hoped the opportunity to assume the Wildcat reins, at least on an interim basis, would be there after she heard of Magarity’s departure.

“I hoped it would happen,” she said. “You never know with anything, not to take life for granted, so, and nevermind with this uncertain time we’re dealing with in this world, you never know.

“I think I’ve grown tremendously through the years and am going to continue to grow. I think I’ve taken the right steps to be ready to take on this challenge and this opportunity. So I hoped, and I’m ready for it in that sense. …

“It’s a dream of mine, I’ll tell you that.”