Yesterday the A.B.A. announced that the new expansion team, the Nashville Rhythm, will be coached by Ashley McElhiney. McElhiney, 22, will be come the first woman head coach to lead a professional men's basketball team.


``This is an incredible opportunity for me on so many levels,'' the 22-year-old McElhiney said. ``I'm thrilled to be a part of building this team from the ground up.''

McElhiney was drafted in the 3rd round of the NBA draft by the Indiana Fever, but was cut before the season began.

Before yesterday's hiring, the closest a woman has gotten was Teresa Philips; she coached one game for the suspended Hosea Lewis. She became the first woman to coach a Division I men's team.