Carol Owens

Carol Owens Named the WBCA’s Division I Assistant Coach of the Year

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Notre Dame’s Carol Owens as its 2019 Division I Assistant Coach of the Year. The award, now in its fourth year, has been won twice by a Notre Dame associate head coach, as Niele Ivey took home the top honor in its inaugural year in 2016.
 
“It is a tremendous honor to be named the WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year and I am quite thankful to the WBCA for naming me the 2019 recipient. I am fortunate to work with an amazing and legendary head coach in Muffet McGraw,” Owens stated. “I have learned so much from her over the years and her impact on my career is immeasurable. I am also thankful to work with people like Niele Ivey, Beth Cunningham and the rest of our staff, as they continue to push me, challenge me, and support me to be the best coach I can be.”
 
Owens has certainly had a memorable last eight days. Back on March 5, Owens was announced as part of inaugural Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame class from A STEP UP. Shortly after, her two starting post players reeled in some major hardware.
 
Brianna Turner became a four-time All-ACC selection and was named the ACC’s Defensive Player of the Year for the third time. Jessica Shepard earned First Team All-ACC honors for the second time and made the ACC All-Tournament Team. The duo combined for 50 points and 20 rebounds in the ACC title game, securing a No. 1 seed for the Irish in the NCAA Tournament.
 
Furthermore, Turner and Shepard are the only post duo in the country both shooting over 60 percent. Both average over 14 points per game and have combined for 22 double-doubles this year. In addition, both are projected first round picks in the upcoming WNBA Draft.
 
“Well-deserved honor for CO, who for 19 years has been an outstanding role model for our program. Carol represents all the good things about our game,” Karen & Kevin Keyes Notre Dame head coach Muffet McGraw stated. “She has developed All-America players on the court, and has challenged our young women to reach their potential off of it as well. I know that I would be lost without her on my staff.”
 
In Coach Owens’ 19th season at Notre Dame, the Irish have gone 30-3 overall on the nation’s No. 1 strength of schedule, achieving the No. 1 rated RPI. Notre Dame earned its sixth consecutive ACC regular season title, then won its fifth ACC Tournament title in six years. Notre Dame has also recorded the most RPI Top 25 wins in the nation, along with the most Top 25 and Top 10 AP ranked victories.
 
“It has been a thrill to work with the players on this team, and it has been truly rewarding to watch their growth both on and off the court,” Owens added. “I appreciate and value the relationships that I have built with so many assistant coaches across the country. They inspire and motivate me on a daily basis. I will continue to give all I have to our game and to our profession, in the hopes that I can help move our game to a higher level.”
 
WBCA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year Winners
2019 – Carol Owens, Associate Head Coach, Notre Dame
2018 – Johnnie Harris, associate head coach, Mississippi State University.
2017 – Lance White, associate head coach, Florida State University.
2016 – Niele Ivey, University of Notre Dame
 — ND —