Oakland Athletics has announced the hiring of Keisha Newell as the new head coach of the Oakland Women’s Basketball program.
“Keisha’s successful record as a head coach, her approach to building successful teams, and her emphasis on helping student-athletes develop athletically and personally impressed me throughout the search,” said Oakland Director of Athletics Steve Waterfield. “I am excited for Keisha to lead the Golden Grizzlies women’s basketball program and to see what it accomplishes under her leadership. I am also happy to welcome her, her husband Anthony, and their children, Addisyn and Kamryn, to the OU Athletics family!”
Newell arrives at Oakland with over 10 years of collegiate coaching experience. Over the last three seasons she has headed the Lewis University Flyers to three consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances, two Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Regular Season Championships, and one GLVC Tournament Championship .
As a two-time, back-to-back, IBCA Collegiate College Coach of the Year (2023-24), Newell guided the Flyers to three consecutive seasons of 21+ overall wins and 15+ conference wins, holding a 69-22 record, including a program record 19 conference wins in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Known for creating high-power offensive programs, the Flyers were consistently ranked in the top 50 nationally in categories such as field goal percentage, three point percentage, and assist to turnover ratio under Newell. During the 2024 season, Lewis University boasted both the highest offensive and defensive efficiency ratings in the GLVC.
Prior to her time at Lewis, Newell also spent time at the helm of Roosevelt University, where she led the program to 61 wins over four seasons (2015-19), rejuvenating a program that had won just eight games in the season prior to her hiring.
Her arrival at Oakland is not her first stint in the Division I ranks, nor her first in the Horizon League, as she spent three seasons (2011-14) as an assistant coach at Loyola Chicago, who were members of the Horizon League until 2013.
With the Ramblers she helped guide the squad to a Horizon League Championship Title Game appearance in 2013. Newell has lived basketball throughout her career, including a playing career at Loyola Chicago where she was a three-year starter and 2007-08 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team selection.
Newell’s ability to develop players and nurture a successful team environment is showcased by the 18 All-Conference student-athletes she has coached during her coaching tenures.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to accept the position as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Oakland University,” said Newell. “I want to sincerely thank Director of Athletics, Steve Waterfield, as well as Associate Athletic Directors John Hitchings and Jenny Swiatowy for their trust and support throughout this process. Oakland University has a strong tradition of excellence, and I am eager to lead this program, develop our student-athletes, and build a culture of success both on and off the basketball court. I can’t wait to get started!”
Newell will be joined by husband, Anthony Newell, and two children, Addisyn and Kamryn as they usher in a new chapter of Oakland Women’s Basketball.
An introductory press conference open to the general public will be held Friday, March 28, 2025 at the University’s Oakland Center. The time and location for the press conference will be announced later this week.
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