One of the most successful players in Husker history is back in Nebraska again, as Coach Connie Yori announced the addition of Amy Stephens to NU’s 2014-15 coaching staff on Wednesday, May 21.
Stephens, an Alliance, Neb., native who ranks among the top five Huskers in history in points (1,976, 4th), assists (444, 5th) and steals (280, 3rd), rejoined Yori’s staff for the second time. Stephens was also a member of Yori’s first Nebraska coaching staff in 2002-03, before being named the head coach at Drake in 2003.
"We’re really excited to have Coach Stephens back at Nebraska," Yori said. "She is an outstanding coach and person, and we think she can really help our players in their individual skill development and with our team defense. Her head coaching experience is invaluable, and she has tremendous experience in recruiting as well. She is a great fit for our program right now."
Stephens spent nine seasons as the head coach at Drake, compiling a 151-130 record. In 2008, Stephens led the Bulldogs to the Missouri Valley Conference title. The previous season, she guided Drake to the Missouri Valley Tournament title and an automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Tournament. She also led the Bulldogs to four WNIT bids.
Stephens spent the 2013-14 season as the associate head coach at Memphis after spending 2012-13 as an assistant coach at Saint Louis.
Stephens will be Nebraska’s defensive coordinator while playing a major role in opponent scouting and recruiting.
"I’m so excited to be back at Nebraska," Stephens said. "Coach Yori has done an unbelievable job in building Nebraska’s program to a consistent conference championship contender and a top-25 national program. I feel extremely fortunate to have another chance to work at Nebraska and contribute to the continued rise of this program."
The 46-year-old Stephens was the first assistant coach hired by Yori in 2002, as she was named to Yori’s first Husker staff on June 27, just one day after Yori officially began her coaching duties as the ninth head women’s basketball coach in school history.
Stephens came back to the Husker program after spending eight extremely successful seasons at Nebraska-Kearney. She compiled a 197-43 record with the NCAA Division II Lopers. UNK averaged nearly 25 wins per season, won five Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference titles and made seven consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament. She was a four-time RMAC Coach of the Year. The Lopers also had an NCAA Division II record 87-game homecourt winning streak during Stephens’ stint at UNK. She was a WBCA national coach-of-the-year finalist in 2000.
Before beginning her career as a head coach at UNK in 1994-95, Stephens served as an assistant coach at Iowa State for two seasons (1992-93 and 1993-94). She spent one season as an undergraduate assistant coach at Nebraska (1990-91), before spending one season (1991-92) as an assistant coach at Omaha South High School.
Stephens started 113 games during her Nebraska career and earned Kodak All-District V honors as a senior in 1988-89. She was also a first-team All-Big Eight Conference selection as a senior. As a junior in 1987-88, Stephens helped the Huskers to their only Big Eight title and the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history. She was a member of the 1989 U.S. National Team and played professionally in the Women’s Basketball League in Germany.
In February 2000, Stephens claimed one of five spots on Nebraska’s All-Century Team as part of the school’s celebration of 25 years of women’s intercollegiate athletics. Stephens was also inducted in the Nebraska High School Hall of Fame in 1999.
Stephens earned her bachelor’s degree in physical education from Nebraska in 1991 and completed her master’s degree in educational administration from Nebraska-Kearney in 1997.
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