GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- After three seasons coaching in the WNBA, Carolyn Peck will return to the college ranks as Florida's new head coach.

	Carolyn Peck led Purdue to the NCAA title and a 34-1 record in 1999.

Peck, who had been the coach and general manager of the WNBA's Orlando Miracle since the team's inception in 1999, was formally introduced as the Lady Gators' coach Wednesday afternoon.

"Never in my wildest dream did I ever think that the opportunity that has presented itself at Florida would happen to me, or at least happen to me so soon," she said. "I am extremely excited."

Peck compiled a 44-52 record in her three seasons with the Miracle, taking Orlando to the playoffs in her second season.

Peck replaces Carol Ross, who stepped down on March 22 after a 12-year tenure with the Lady Gators. Florida has been to the NCAA Tournament in nine of the past 10 years, but despite fairly high seedings has suffered early-round losses in each of the past two years.

"Carolyn Peck was the first person who came to mind when we began looking," Florida Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said. "Carolyn's coaching and basketball pedigree is second to none, having worked with some of the most highly respected coaches in the game. It's a bonus that she also comes with a national championship ring already on her finger."

Peck led Purdue to a 34-1 record and the 1999 NCAA title before heading into the pro coaching ranks. She was 57-11 over two seasons as Purdue's head coach, and at the age of 32, was the youngest coach in the Big Ten.

Peck began her collegiate coaching career in 1993, serving as an assistant to Pat Summitt for two seasons. After helping guide Tennessee to the national championship game in 1995, Peck served as an assistant at Kentucky for one season before joining Nell Fortner's staff at Purdue for the 1996-97 season.

After Fortner left Purdue to become the USA national team coach, Peck was named the Boilermakers' head coach for the 1997-98 season and guided Purdue to the Elite Eight and a 23-10 mark. Purdue opened the following season with an upset over three-time defending NCAA champion Tennessee, a win that ended the Volunteers' 46-game winning streak. Four months later, Peck became the first African-American female to coach a team to the women's NCAA title, and was named the AP and WBCA national Coach of the Year.

A native of Jefferson City, Tenn., Peck was Tennessee's Miss Basketball and two-time prep All-American before playing at Vanderbilt from 1985-88. The 6-foot-4 center averaged 10.6 points and 5.8 rebounds with 180 blocked shots as a Commodore. She was the team captain in her junior and senior seasons at Vanderbilt, then played professionally in Japan from 1991-1993.

Peck also has USA basketball coaching experience. In August 1997, Peck served as the top assistant coach for the silver-medal winning USA Jones Cup team under the direction of Duke's Gail Goestenkors.