After leading UT Arlington to its first Sun Belt Conference Championship in just her second season at the helm of the program, Lady Mavericks head coach Shereka Wright has signed a contract extension with UTA through the 2027 season.
UTA Athletic Director Jim Baker announced the two-year extension for Wright on Friday morning
“Words cannot express my appreciation,” said Wright. “I’d like to thank (President-Designate) Jennifer Cowley, the Board of Regents, Jim Baker, as well as the administration staff, players and fans for their belief in me leading this program forward into the Western Athletic Conference.”
Wright comes off a historic season, guiding the Lady Mavs to a 20-8 record and the Sun Belt Tournament Championship. That earned the conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament for the third time in school history and the first since 2007.
For her efforts, Wright was named SBC Coach of the Year in addition to Texas Coach of the Year by Dave Campbell’s Texas Basketball.
“We are so excited to have Shereka leading our women’s basketball team for years to come,” stated Baker. “Since her first day on campus, Shereka has been faced with carrying this program through the COVID pandemic, and has done so admirably with class, dignity and resilience, ultimately culminating with an NCAA Tournament appearance after just two years.”
Wright checked off numerous accolades throughout the 2021-22 campaign, including the program’s first-ever win over a ranked opponent, defeating No. 13/17 South Florida, 61-56, on Dec. 2, 2021.
Wright was also named the HoopDirt.com National Coach of the Week after a pair of come-from-behind overtime victories over Houston and North Texas early in the season.
She became the second coach in school history to have 10 or more wins in conference play in back-to-back seasons, joining just Samantha Morrow in the 2007-08 and 2008-09 seasons.
Wright coached up the SBC Player of the Year in Starr Jacobs, who went on to earn SBC Tournament MVP and became the first player in Lady Mavs history to average 20 points per game or more (21). She also guided Terryn Milton to all-conference honors as well as a spot on the SBC All-Tournament Team.
“I am so excited about the future for this program and UT Arlington,” added Wright.
UTA concluded its magical season with a close loss to Iowa State in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament. The 14th-seeded Lady Mavs went to Ames and nearly pulled a massive upset, leading by five at the half and by three with less than six minutes remaining. The 3rd-seeded Cyclones used a late rally to pick up a 78-71 win over Wright’s Lady Mavs – who would have become the first 14 seed to ever win a game in the tournament – on Mar. 17.
