Tulsa Women’s Basketball Head Coach Matilda Mossman announced the addition of Assistant Coach Roman Owen and Video Coordinator Christian Barnhill to the 2018-19 staff. Mossman also announced the promotion of Christine Elliott to Director of Operations and Kelsee Grovey to Director of Player Development/Team Manager.
Owen comes to Tulsa after serving as an assistant coach the last three seasons at Yale University. At Yale, Owen’s responsibilities included recruiting, coaching the point guards and wings, scouting reports, film breakdown, scheduling, and overseeing team travel.
During the 2017-18 season, the Bulldogs captured the 2018 WBI Championship, won a program-high 19 games and advanced to the Ivy League Tournament for the first time in school history. He was also instrumental in coaching Yale to 14 wins in 2015-16 and 15 victories a year later.
Prior to his stint at Yale, Owen served as the Video Coordinator under Hall of Fame Coach Sherri Coale for two years (2013-15).
Owen served as the Head Coach for Mid-America Christian University from 2010-13 where he oversaw all aspects of the program, including practices, scouting, film exchange, academic success, player development, strength and conditioning, and budget. In three years at MACU he coached the team to 41 wins, including an NCCAA Regional Championship and consolation championship in the NCCAA National Tournament in 2011.
Owen was an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Oklahoma City University for two seasons (2008-10). He led the Stars to 32 wins in two years and a 2010 NAIA National Tournament appearance.
A four-year letterwinner at Southwestern Christian University, Owen concluded his career with a program-high 2,802 points, was named the 2008 Pete Maravich NCCAA Player of the Year, was a three-time NCCAA All-American and led the team to back-to-back NCCAA National Championship games.
Owen earned his bachelor’s degree in Biblical studies from Southwestern Christian in 2007 and his master’s degree in education from the University of Central Oklahoma in 2009.
Owen and his wife, Natalie, have one daughter, Olivia.
“I am extremely excited that Roman has joined our staff,” Mossman said. “Roman is someone of great character with an exceptional work ethic who is also a good friend. We are fortunate to hire someone with his coaching/recruiting experience who is also very well connected in the Midwest. Roman will be able to hit the ground running and adapt to what we are doing in a short period of time. We welcome Roman, his wife Natalie, and daughter Olivia to our Golden Hurricane family!”
Barnhill served as a graduate assistant for the Stevenson University men’s basketball team this past season. As a member of the Mustang staff he helped with on-the-court coaching, recruiting, team travel, opponent scouting reports and summer basketball camps.
Prior to SU, Barnhill was a student manager for the Southern Miss men’s basketball team. He helped analyze practice film, maintained equipment and helped with team travel.
Barnhill earned his bachelor’s degree from Southern Miss in 2017.
“With his vast experiences at a young age, we are fortunate to land Christian as our video coordinator,” Mossman said. In addition to video editing, Christian has experience in operations, scouting, recruiting and on-the-court coaching so he understands how it all fits together. I couldn’t be more pleased to welcome Christian to Tulsa!”
This will be Elliott’s sixth season with the Golden Hurricane program, but first as Director of Operations. She previously served as Director of Player Development/Team Manager for three years, and as the Video Coordinator and Graduate Manager each for one year.
Grovey recently served as the Graduate Assistant while earning her master’s degree in educational studies from TU. Grovey was also a four-year letterwinner and starter for the Golden Hurricane.
“I’ve always believed that if you work hard and do the right thing, good things will happen for you,” Mossman said. “This is certainly true with the elevation of positions for Christine and Kelsee. Christine has worked her way from graduate manager to video coordinator to player development and now to Director of Operations. This has happened because of her work ethic and loyalty to our women’s basketball program. Kelsee has had a similar path in going from player to graduate assistant to Director of Player Development. Both of these young ladies are conscientious, hard-working, loyal individuals with a love for The University of Tulsa.”
“Having all of these individuals in place (along with Associate Head Coach, Shane Coffey and Assistant Coach Taleya Mayberry), gives me renewed energy and confidence moving forward. It’s a great time to be a part of The University of Tulsa.”
Tagged with: DI Staff Update
