Names to watch in the Miami women’s basketball head coaching search

For the fourth time in his tenure, David Sayler is faced with the task of finding a new head coach for Miami University’s women’s basketball team following the resignation of DeUnna Hendrix. Here are some names to watch as the search begins.

Colleen Day Henderson

Day Henderson has been a hot prospect among fans on social media.

In 2015, she was inducted to Miami’s Hall of Fame and earned three degrees from the university. She was one of the most successful basketball players in Miami’s history, leading Miami to a MAC championship in 2004. She ranks among Miami’s all-time career leaders in eight major categories.

Day Henderson most recently served as the Associate Head Coach for the University of Akron, also leading the team’s recruiting efforts. Day Henderson could bring strong loyalty to the program, something Miami has benefited from in the case of Carolyn Condit, who has coached the volleyball team for 39 years.

However, in Sayler’s previous hires, he tends to hire those with head coaching experience, something Day Henderson lacks. Sayler may not be willing to take the risk considering the shaky ground the program currently stands on.

Michelle Clark-Heard

After a tough season, finishing 9-21, Clark-Heard was fired from her head coaching position at the University of Cincinnati (UC), following her third season below 0.500. During her five year tenure, Clark-Heard was 74-75.

Clark-Heard has 12 years of head coaching experience, with an overall record of 252-155 (0.619.) Clark-Heard was Western Kentucky University’s (WKU) head coach for five years, transforming the program during her time.

She led the team to three NCAA tournament appearances and won three conference tournament championships and two regular season conference titles. Her time at WKU and UC showcased her ability to develop players and make a quick impact on a team.

Carla Morrow

Morrow currently serves as Ohio State University’s (OSU) associate head coach for its women’s program, a position she has held since 2019.

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Morrow helped lead the team to a strong 28-8 record and its first NCAA Elite Eight appearance in 30 years in 2022-23. The 2022-23 team had its best start in program history, going on a 19-0 run and being one of three teams across the country to be undefeated in January 2023.

Prior to OSU, Morrow was an assistant coach in the WNBA, working for the Chicago Sky for three years where she helped develop stars Diamond Deshields and Allie Quigley. She also was an assistant coach for Xavier University for 11 seasons, solidifying her experience in Ohio’s recruiting territory.

Melissa Jackson

Jackson’s head coaching contract with the University of Akron was not extended this February, making the 2022-23 season her last at UA. The team finished with a 17-13 record and an appearance in the MAC tournament. Jackson finished her term with a 72-69 record over her five seasons. In the 2021-22 season, Akron made an appearance in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

As head coach, Jackson had multiple tournament wins including the 2019 Puerto Rico Clasico. During her time at Akron, which included six years as an associate head coach, Jackson became the all-time winningest first-year head coach with 16 wins.

Carlos Knox

After winning in his debut game as a head coach, Knox failed to make a strong impact on the Indiana Fever, missing the playoffs with a 5-31 record in 2022. But his coaching showed promise that Miami could take advantage of.

During his term with the Fever, Knox had many bright spots, especially in playmaking. His coaching can be heard on many Fever broadcasts from this past season. The most prolific scorer in Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) history and a former NCAA player of the year, Knox is a vocal leader with more than 20 years of coaching experience. Along with coaching the Fever and playing professionally for the Indiana Pacers, Knox has experience playing abroad and coaching with IUPUI, the University of Cincinnati and the University of North Texas.

@NissoSacha

sachanz@miamioh.edu