In early 2008, following the resignation of four-year head coach Francis Simmons, Bethune-Cookman University began the search for a new leader to take the Wildcats to the next level. The administration was looking for a person of character that understood what it takes to lead and had seen success both as a player and coach. Essentially, they were looking for a star to take the reins of the program. In mid-July, that search was fulfilled, as Athletics Director Lynn W. Thompson announced the appointment of Vanessa Inge as the new head coach. "Vanessa Inge represents the total package," Thompson announced at her appointment, "She is a former outstanding student-athlete, professional player and highly-experienced Division I coach from a private, church-related university. We expect her to flourish in leading our program with these great qualities."

With over a decade of playing and coaching in the Northeast Conference (NEC), Women's Basketball Head Coach, the former Ms. Vanessa Blair (now Inge) emerged as one of the most notable figures in NEC women's basketball history. Garnering two NEC Player of the Year awards, NEC Player of the Decade, and NEC Coach of the Year; she holds three of the highest honors given to a player or coach in the NEC. Proven by her résumé, Inge continuously raised the bar for Mount St. Mary's women's basketball program, showing the way for Mount St. Mary's to reach higher heights. Inge, who took over the reins to coaching Mount St. Mary's women's basketball team prior to the 1998-99 season, showed her ability to be a head coach in her inaugural season, guiding the women's squad to a 21-7 record and a Northeast Conference regular season crown. Inge's remarkable debut season earned her NEC Coach of the Year honors, making her the first and only person in league history to have been named both Player of the Year and Coach of the Year.

In addition to her player and coach of the year awards, Inge earned Northeast Conference Player of the Decade on the 10^th anniversary of NEC women's basketball. One of three Mountaineers to make the six-member NEC Team of the Decade, Inge was named the top player in the NEC from 1985-1995. She was also one of three Mountaineer players to be named to both the 20th and 25^th NEC Anniversary team. Her honors do not just include conference awards; in the spring of 2003, she was honored for her dedication to Mount St. Mary's University and its athletic department by being inducted into the Mount's Sports Hall of Fame, one of five honorees that year. She was also named to the Mount St. Mary's women's basketball "30th Anniversary Team" on Feb. 19, 2005.

In her eight years as a head coach in the NEC, Inge moved up the record charts much like she did as a player. She ranks eighth for career conference regular season wins by a head coach; the third most by any active head coach in the league (87), and holds a .596 overall conference winning percentage. In a 77-59 win against Morgan State on Dec. 30, 2005, she picked up her 100th career victory. Furthermore, Inge has coached two NEC Players of the Year, two NEC Defensive Players of the Year, one NEC Rookie of the Year, four All-NEC first-team selections and three All-NEC second-team selections. She has played with or coached 17 of the program's 21 1,000-point scorers.

Inge's vast knowledge of the game and determination to develop programs that excel both on the court and in the classroom is seen in awards both athletically and academically for her teams. For the 2001-02 season, the Mount women's basketball team was named one of the top-25 schools for academic excellence by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, earning 16th place for Division I schools. Before taking the helm of the Mount women's basketball team, Inge first returned to her alma mater in 1996 as an assistant coach. In her two years as an assistant, Inge, who perhaps is the best center to ever don the Mount's blue and white, worked extensively with the post players and recruitment.

Prior to returning to the Emmitsburg, Inge played two years of professional basketball in Sweden. Inge played on the Pro Basketball Club, a first division team based in the city of Orebro, before a knee injury cut her career short. Inge returned home to the United States, where she assisted her father at Largo (Md.) High School and coached at the AAU youth level, all while working in the business world for companies like the District of Columbia Department of Finance and Revenue, Reebok and finally Network MCI.

Realizing her desire to return to collegiate basketball, Inge agreed to return to her alma mater as an assistant coach alongside her college coach, Bill Sheahan, who currently ranks as the NEC's all-time career leader in regular season wins with 124. Playing under Sheahan, Inge set the school's game, season and career records in blocked shots. She ranks sixth all-time in scoring and third in rebounds and holds the Mount's record for free throws attempted in a season. She currently is the only Mountaineer to hold triple digit career marks in five different categories, showing why she was named NEC Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992.