Oakland University Women’s Basketball is proud to announce the hiring of Josh Lees as the program’s newest Assistant Coach.
A Michigan native with family ties to the Golden Grizzlies, as his father served as Assistant Coach for the Oakland Men’s Basketball Program in the past. Lees joins the continually growing staff of Head Coach Keisha Newell.
“I’m excited to welcome Josh to the OU family. He brings strong ties to the area, an incredible work ethic, and a true passion for Oakland basketball,” said Newell. “His experience as a head coach, along with his time at a high-level program like Northern State, will be a tremendous asset to our team and culture here at OU.”
Lees began his coaching journey at the high school level, serving at Troy High School and Avondale High School. He quickly transitioned into collegiate coaching as the Head Coach at Oakland Community College (OCC), where he transformed the program into a national contender. In just four years, he led OCC to a conference championship and their first-ever appearance in the national tournament, finishing 6th overall in the country. His efforts were recognized in 2022 when he was named the Great Lakes B District Coach of the Year.
Following a successful five-year tenure at OCC, in 2023 Lees joined the coaching staff at Northern State University (NSU) in South Dakota as an assistant under legendary coach Paula Krueger. During his two seasons at NSU, the team posted back-to-back 20- and 19-win seasons, continuing its tradition of excellence. Under Lees, NSU ranked top-5 in the NSIC in scoring, scoring defense, field goal percentage, field goal percentage defense, free throw percentage, and assist/turnover ratio.
“Coming back home to Oakland is a dream come true for me,” said Lees. “I grew up going to Oakland games and watching them every chance I got. I am so thankful for the opportunity from Coach Newell to assist her in building this WBB program that means so much to me. For me this is more than just a job, and I get to be around family and friends while I live out my coaching dream. I am looking forward to getting to work with this University and this staff and making Oakland Women’s Basketball great!”
With Lees joining the coaching staff, the Golden Grizzlies gain a passionate leader, a proven winner, and someone who embodies the heart and tradition of Oakland Basketball.
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