The former Weatherford College Lady Coyote and Brock Lady Eagle will join Coach Bob McKinley’s coaching staff for the 2015-16 season.
Actually, she’ll be rejoining the staff. She previously worked as McKinley’s assistant in the 2006-07 season. She also played for McKinley in 2002-03.
“I’m at the point in my life where I want to spend more time with my family and start a new chapter in my life,” said Emily. “When Coach McKinley offered me the chance to be back with him again and come back ‘home’ to the people I have loved so dearly my whole life, I couldn’t pass it up.
“It’s great to be back here. I still have so much to learn from Coach McKinley about coaching women’s basketball. After traveling the world, although it is an opportunity I wouldn’t trade, one thing I know for sure, there’s no place like home.”
Emily spent the past seven and a half years in the airline industry as a flight attendant.
“I have traveled to so many wonderful places and met so many interesting people as a flight attendant. There’s definitely an exciting and eye-opening world out there,” she said.
However, the world cannot replace home, and working alongside her father, Mark Osina, who coaches the WC men’s team.
“I’ve always had such great respect for my father as a coach, father and man. My dad as far as I’m concerned, is the very best of the best in every category,” Emily said.
“Working alongside Dad was great when I worked at Weatherford College in 2006. He has and always will be my hero. And now, at this time in our lives, I feel so very grateful to Weatherford College for making it possible for me to do it again.”
Of course, Dad feels the same.
“I’m happy. I didn’t know if she’d want to, but she was ready right from the start,” said Mark.
“She’s been in the gym since she was 6. She’s known Coach McKinley her whole life.
“And, of course, Mom was pushing her all the way,” he added with a chuckle.
“It’s pretty much a natural,” said McKinley of the decision. “She played for us, worked for us.
“You need someone as an assistant you can count on. Loyalty is the most important part to me, and she’s loyal. Everything else with Emily is a bonus.”
Emily also brings a knowledge of select basketball, particularly the Amateur Athletic Union. She has also worked as a volunteer coach for a youth league team on the East Coast.
“She knows the AAU structure in the area, and that’s where a lot of recruiting comes from,” said McKinley.
Emily understands the recruiting game as she was heavily recruited out of high school as one of the leaders of Brock’s first state championship team in 2002.
She then helped the Lady Coyotes win the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference championship in 2004. After that, she finished her basketball career at the University of New Orleans.
“We had a great team that year (2004),” said Emily. “I made a lot of lifelong friends along the way. Basketball has given me many gifts, and I am thankful.”
Her first job after graduation from UNO was, you guessed it, at WC. And, once again, it was a championship scenario.
“I felt so blessed to work with Coach McKinley. Absolutely no one could have had a better start than I did,” she said. “And to top it off, we won the conference championship. It was such a great year.”
Emily also spoke of her goals at WC. Not surprisingly, they include the same things that influenced her as she was working her way into adulthood.
“My foremost goal as an assistant coach for Weatherford College is to provide our players with the guidance, opportunities and experiences that will have a positive influence and impact on them for a lifetime,” she said.
“Winning is always nice, of course, and we will certainly strive to be champions. But the gifts from basketball are so much more than that. Some of the greatest lessons a person can learn are taught through the basketball athletic experience.”
Mark believes Emily’s experience of going away and coming back could be beneficial to her in new/old gig.
“She’s more mature this time,” he said. “Just like any kid, they want to go off and get away from home. But she saw a good opportunity here, it’s home, and she knows what a great place Weatherford College is to work and what a great place Weatherford is to live in.
“We’re just glad she’s back.”
He also believes Emily will make a great head coach when the time is right.
“She’s known basketball her whole life. She loves the game, knows it inside and out, she’d be terrific,” he said.
“Of course, I would love to be a head coach someday. I’ve witnessed the love and passion my dad and Coach McKinley have for this profession,” Emily said.
“It would be an honor to follow in their footsteps. For right now though, I plan to learn as much as I can from them. I feel really lucky to have them as my role models. “
Tagged with: Assistant Osina
