University of North Florida women’s basketball head coach Darrick Gibbs has announced the addition of three new assistant coaches. David Lowery, Jessica Ridgill and MaryLynne Schaefer join the Osprey women’s basketball staff, which also includes director of operations Charlsea Owen.
“My goal was to put together a group of people who are dedicated to the overall development of young women,” said Gibbs. “They are all experienced, passionate and, most importantly, good people. They will all do a good job building authentic relationships and entrench themselves into the UNF and Jacksonville communities. I’m extremely excited about this group and grateful that they have decided to join me on this journey.”
Assistant Coach David Lowery – Assistant Coach
With 13 years of experience and one of the top recruiters in the state of Florida, David Lowery will work primary with UNF’s swing and post players and serve as the team’s recruiting coordinator.
“David brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the table,” said Gibbs. “He has a great grasp of the recruiting landscape in Florida and will have an unbelievable impact on our ability to take advantage of the talent in the state. He has been an integral part of every program he has been involved with and his passion and experience will be an asset on the sidelines.”
Lowery comes to UNF after spending the past eight years as an assistant coach at Florida. He coordinated the Gators’ recruiting efforts and assisted with player development. Lowery brought 10 ESPN Top 100 recruits to Florida, including McDonald’s All-American Ronni Williams.
While at Florida, Lowery helped the Gators to three NCAA Tournament appearances (2009, 2012, 2014) and four WNIT appearances (2008, 2010, 2011, 2013) with the Gators reaching the WNIT Final Four in 2013.
The coach of 21 All-Conference selections and six All-SEC Freshman Team honorees, Lowery also served as an assistant coach at Charlotte and Davidson. With both teams, Lowery was the recruiting coordinator and oversaw each team’s academic progress. Additionally, in his two years at Charlotte (2005-07), Lowery helped guide the 49ers to the 2006 Atlantic 10 Championship and back-to-back WNIT appearances in 2006 and 2007.
Lowery has participated in multiple coaching forums, including the Nike Villa 7 Next Generation of Young Rising Head Coaches, the BCA ACA Program of Achieving Coaching Excellence, NACWAA White Board Coaches Consortium and the U.S. Marines Leadership Training Workshop. He has also been a presenter at multiple conferences, including the WBCA’s “So You Want To Be A Coach” program.
A 2000 graduate of Mississippi State, Lowery earned a bachelor of science in physical education. He is the proud father of daughter, Kendall Arvryzena Hightower (17), and son, Carlon Reed Lowery (3).
Jessica Ridgill – Assistant Coach
Jessica Ridgill brings 12 years of coaching experience in different roles at the Division I and Division II levels, achieving a variety of successes in her coaching career. At UNF, Ridgill will work with the point guards.
“Jessica’s passion and enthusiasm for development is second to none,” said Gibbs. “She has a wide range of experiences that will be a huge asset to this program. She has recruited to a great academic institution and has had tremendous success as a head coach. Jessica is a true believer in the development of young women and will be a great mentor to anyone that comes through our program.”
Ridgill spent the last four years at Wofford, her alma mater, starting initially as an assistant coach before being elevated to associate head coach for the 2014-15 season. She assisted in the Terriers’ recruiting efforts and game scheduling, while also coordinating the team’s academic obligations.
Ridgill began her coaching career at Erskine College, first as an assistant coach for five years and then as Erskine’s head coach from 2008-2011. She led the Flying Fleet to three Conference Carolinas Tournaments. In her first season as head coach, Ridgill’s squad tied for second in Most Improved NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball Teams for 2008-09, totaling a program-record tying 17 wins. Erskine established a new team scoring record and ranked fifth nationally in scoring at 83.0 point per game, while registering four 100-point games during the 2008-09 campaign. As a result, Ridgill was selected as the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year.
A successful player as a point guard at Wofford from 1998-02, Ridgill dished out 387 assists, a mark that currently ranks third in Wofford’s record books. As a sophomore, she recorded 117 helpers, including a then-program record 13 in a single game. Ridgill’s single-game mark stood for over a decade before being topped in 2011.
A member of the Clarendon County Athletic Hall of Fame, Ridgill earned her bachelor’s degree in business economics from Wofford in 2002.
MaryLynne Schaefer – Assistant Coach
A standout guard that holds the University of Hartford’s career record for three-point field goals made, MaryLynne Schaefer will mentor UNF’s wing players.
“MaryLynne has built her reputation on hard work and attention to detail,” said Gibbs. “Her experience playing in college and competing at the professional level will be a great benefit to the development of our players. Having worked with MaryLynne at Miami, I know exactly what she will bring to UNF and I’m excited that she has decided to join us.
Schaefer spent the last year as a graduate assistant at Marquette, assisting in game and practice preparation and scouting various non-conference and BIG EAST opponents. Schaefer coordinated and coached Marquette’s male practice squad and also supervised the team’s managers.
Prior to Marquette, Schaefer worked with Gibbs at Miami for three seasons. In her first season with the Hurricanes, Schaefer was a graduate student worker. She became the team’s Video Coordinator in July 2012.
Schaefer was a three-year starter at Hartford from 2005-09 and was part of three America East regular season championship and two American East tournament championship teams. She helped the Hawks to two NCAA Tournament appearances, including a second round showing in 2008. Additionally, she played in three WNITs, one preseason and two postseason. She finished her career with 222 treys, a school-record mark that was tied during the 2014-15 season by Amber Bepko.
Following Hartford, Schaefer played overseas in Germany for two seasons. She helped her team to a league championship in her first season and a runner-up finish in her second season. Schaefer led all three divisions in Germany in three-point field goals made in both of her years. Additionally, she led the Second Division in steals in 2011.
Schaefer graduated from Hartford in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in interactive information technology. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in sport leadership from Marquette.
Charlsea Owen – Director of Operations
Charlsea Owen begins her third year at UNF as the Director of Operations after joining the staff in 2013.
“I am extremely excited that Charlsea decided to continue working here at UNF,” said Gibbs. “Her knowledge and organization has already proven to be an invaluable asset. Charlesa has a big heart. Her pride and passion for this program is undeniable. I’m extremely fortunate to have her on board.”
Owen handles the day-to-day operations for the Ospreys. She coordinates the team’s travel arrangements and equipment and game day needs. Additionally, she oversees the student support staff.
A native of St. Augustine, Fla., Owen graduated from Flagler College and was a four-year member of the Saints’ women’s basketball team. She averaged 8.4 points per game and was selected as the team’s captain two years. Owen, who received the Division II Athletic Director Association Achievement Award twice, had much success in the classroom, earning Peach Belt Presidential Honor Roll all four years and Peach Belt Academic All-Conference three times. As a senior, Owen was named Captial One Academic All-District 3 First-Team.
Owen graduated from Flagler with a degree in business administration in 2012 and will receive her master’s degree in educational leadership from UNF in August. She recently received the Educational Leadership Department Award for Excellence in Athletic Administration at UNF. Owen is engaged to David Clark and the couple is planning an April 2016 wedding.
http://www.unfospreys.com/news/2015/5/11/WBB_0511155555.aspx?path=wbball
Photo Courtesy North Florida Athletics
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