The University of Detroit Mercy women’s basketball program continues to add to its staff as longtime Division I assistant Wanika Owsley joins the Titans as the Associate Head Coach.
“Wanika is a slam dunk hire for our women’s basketball program,” Interim head coach LaTanya Collins said. “I know that sounds so cliche, but she truly is. Coach Wanika has a variety of successful experiences at the Division I level. She has won as an assistant coach, associate head coach and most recently interim head coach at Morgan State University.”
“I have always admired Wanika’s work ethic and ability to get things done. She exemplifies the core values I have set for our program and will be an excellent mentor for our staff and players. Her willingness to put the detailed effort in everything she does will be much needed as we embark on this new journey here at Detroit Mercy.”
“I am thrilled for the women’s basketball program at the University of Detroit Mercy,” Owsley said. “To have the opportunity to work alongside coach Collins means the world to me. She is a good friend of mine who works hard every day to be a great example. These young women couldn’t have been blessed with a better leader. I’m looking forward to working with the young ladies as well as the Titan family.”
Owsley joins the Titans after having most recently served as the Associate Head Coach at Morgan State University. Owsley was also the recruiting coordinator during her time with Morgan State, having spent nearly the last decade as part of the Bears women’s basketball program.
It was her second stint with Morgan State after Owsley spent the 2009-10 season with Morgan State. After spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Mississippi State, Owsley returned to Morgan State in 2012-13 and helped anchor the staff for the next nine seasons.
With Morgan State, Owsley was responsible for recruiting, managing the budget, scouting, on-court instruction, player development and game and practice preparation, among many other duties.
Most recently, Owsley helped the Bears to a 12-4 mark in the shortened 2020-21 season, including an 8-2 record in MEAC play. She was part of a staff that helped Morgan State to double-digit wins in six of the past seven seasons, including winning campaigns in three out of the last four. Morgan State earned tournament wins and reached the MEAC semifinals in each of the past two seasons, their first tournament semifinals appearances since 2006-07.
Owsley also spent two seasons on the women’s basketball staff at Mississippi State from 2010-12, helping sign two top-50 recruiting classes during her time at MSU, including six ESPN Top-100 student-athlete recruits. She assisted in coaching the Bulldogs to 28 victories across those two seasons.
She began her coaching career at Jefferson (Mo.) Community College from 2006-09, helping coach the program to a national title game and runner-up finish at the 2008 NJCAA Tournament, as well as a third-place finish in the national tournament in 2007.
While at Jefferson, Owsley was part of a staff that coached the program to a 97-9 record across three seasons and winning three MCCAC Championships (regular season and tournament). She also coached and recruited the 2008-09 National Junior College Player of the Year in Danielle Adams and coached four All-Americans and six Academic All-Americans, as well as two NJCAA Academic Teams of the Year.
Owsley played collegiately at both Southeastern Illinois (Junior) College and Southeast Missouri State. While with Southeastern Illinois, she helped lead her team to its first Region 24 championship and an appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament.
She concluded her playing career at Southeast Missouri State, where she helped the Redhawks to a 46-16 overall record and their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance during her senior season. She was the captain and led both teams in assists.
Owsley earned general studies degree from Southeast Missouri State University.
Stay tuned for more information regarding the Detroit Mercy women’s basketball program, as the team continues to announce the staff and roster for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
