The coaching and support staff for the Central Michigan University Women’s Basketball program for the 2023-24 season has been confirmed, announced by Head Coach Kristin Haynie Friday morning.
The six-member staff includes the retention of former Chippewa standout Micaela Kelly as the Assistant to the Head Coach and Director of Player Development, a pair of veterans in coaching between John Motherwell and Nkwane Young, a pair of familiar staff fixtures from Coach Haynie’s tenure at Michigan State University in Jared Roane and Jackson Marlan, along with a 1,000-point career scorer for the Spartans in Jenna Allen—who has spent the last four years playing professionally in Spain.
Kelly, better known as “Twin”, began her coaching career with last season’s CMU squad after spending a year playing in the professional realm and her second-round selection in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Connecticut Sun. The 2021 graduate of Central Michigan stepped away from her four-year career in Maroon and Gold as one of the greatest in program history. The 2020 Mid-American Conference Player of the Year and three-time All-MAC selection helped fuel the Chippewas’ historic stretch from 2017-2021 that saw the program reach its first NCAA Sweet Sixteen and accumulate a record of 96-29, with an overwhelming 61-12 mark in league play. [Full Bio]
Motherwell, much better known as “Mo”, provides over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience to the bench, most recently as the Associate Head Coach for the University of North Dakota, where he spent the last five years of his career. Mo has mentored student-athletes across all levels of NCAA Women’s Basketball including a pair of 2015 WNBA Draft selections in Amanda Zahui B. and Shae Kelley during his three-year stint at the University of Minnesota. Motherwell will be the program’s Recruiting Coordinator alongside his work as Assistant Coach. [Full Bio]
“Mo is a tireless worker whether it’s recruiting, on the floor or connecting with the players,” Coach Haynie said. “He has great midwestern ties and will do an excellent job bringing in top talent to our Chippewa Family.”
Young comes to CMU as another vital piece from the North Dakota coaching staff, with a long and rich coaching history in Detroit to boot, both in high school and college. Prior to his three-year run on the bench for the Fighting Hawks, Young spent three seasons at the helm for Wayne County Community College, marking the program’s first NJCAA national tournament appearance while receiving recognition as the 2019 NJCAA District Coach of the Year and 2018 MCCAA Coach of the Year. His successful tour at WCCC was preceded by a 20-plus year coaching career on the Detroit high school scene, including head coaching stops at Wayne Memorial, Detroit Frederick Douglass and Detroit Community. [Full Bio]
“Nkwane brings a wealth of knowledge with his head coaching experience and provides great energy on the floor,” Haynie remarked. “He has great recruiting connections, specifically in Michigan. We are excited to have him on board in continuing to pursue championships.”
The final piece to the coaching portion of the staff will be making her debut: Allen returns to the Mitten after a four-year playing career for Baxi Ferrol in Spain, averaging double-digit points, five-plus rebounds and a 50-plus percent shooting percentage from the floor for the duration. The starting center for the 2018-19 Michigan State team became the program’s 23rd 1,000-point scorer during her final season, in which she started all 33 games. A former Spartan under Coach Haynie’s mentorship, Allen will have a direct role with the post players while also being the team liaison for strength & conditioning and athletic training. [Full Bio]
“Jenna is a great teacher of the game that will help develop our post players on and off the court,” Coach Haynie offered. “She is knowledgeable, a sponge and passionate. We are excited to welcome her to the Chippewa Family in continuing to build a championship program.”
Roane brings ten years of experience in assuming the program’s role as the Director of Scouting and Video Operations, including his most recent stint as a four-year member of the Michigan State coaching staff alongside Haynie’s tenure as an assistant coach for the Spartans. Familiar to the MAC, Roane graduated from the University of Akron in 2011 and returned to the Zips’ women’s program as a graduate assistant from 2014-16 when he earned a master’s degree in sports administration. [Full Bio]
Marlan completes the 2023-24 CMU Women’s Basketball staff as its Director of Basketball Operations. His duties will include management and oversight of the administrative and logistical aspects of the Chippewa program. [Full Bio]
Coach Haynie was hired as CMU’s 13th Head Women’s Basketball Coach on April 20, returning to Mt. Pleasant after having an assistant role with the program from 2014-17.
Haynie, in conjunction with her newly-completed staff, takes over a Central Michigan Women’s Basketball program that has made seven NCAA Tournament appearances (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021), won five Mid-American Conference Tournament titles (1983, 1984, 2013, 2018, and 2021), captured eight MAC regular season overall/division championships (1983-84, 1984-85, 2013-14 West Division, 2015-16 West Division, 2016-17 Overall/West Division, 2017-18 Overall/West Division, 2018-19 Overall/West Division, 2019-20 Overall/West Division), and advanced to five Women’s National Invitation Tournament appearances (2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2017).
https://cmuchippewas.com/news/2023/5/19/wbb_coaching-staff
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