OMAHA, Neb. (May 4, 2025) – Omaha Vice Chancellor / Director of Athletics Adrian Dowell announced Sunday the appointment of Jamie Carey as the 10th head coach in Omaha women's basketball history. Carey begins her role effective immediately.
"We are proud to welcome Jamie Carey as the new leader of our women's basketball program," said Dowell. "Coach Carey brings us a wealth of experience at the highest level of collegiate athletics both as a coach and student-athlete, coupled with her playing career in the WNBA. Throughout her coaching career and during the interview process, Coach Carey has successfully demonstrated a passion towards holistically developing student-athletes while pursuing competitive success. We are excited for this program's future under her leadership."
One of the all-time Texas Longhorn greats, Carey, a four-year WNBA veteran, joins the Mavericks after completing her fourth season at UTSA (NCAA Division I – American) as associate head coach. Prior to Carey's arrival, the Roadrunners had not finished with a winning record since the 2014-15 campaign. In 2024-25, UTSA shattered the record book en route to winning the American Athletic Conference Regular Season Championship for the first time in program history. This year's squad finished 26-5 overall and 17-1 in the AAC. Both the overall and conference win totals marked new program records.
With Carey on staff, UTSA experienced its first two postseason berths, earning a spot in the WNIT in 2024 and WBIT in 2025.
"I could not be more excited for the opportunity to lead the Omaha women's basketball program," said Carey. "Throughout this process, the vision and passion that Adrian Dowell and his staff shared with me speaks volumes for the direction of Athletics at UNO. I have been impressed with the current success amongst all the teams in the department and have a vision of contributing to that success! I cannot wait to get to campus and begin engaging with the Omaha community and start the process of growing Mavericks women's basketball. Again, I would like to thank Adrian [Dowell] and his staff, along with Chancellor [Joanne] Li, for this opportunity and it's time to get to work!"
Prior to arriving in Military City USA, Carey spent one season at North Texas (NCAA Division I – American Athletic Conference) as the Mean Green's associate head coach. During her brief tenure in Denton, North Texas emerged victorious in 10 CUSA contests over the shortened season during the COVID-19 pandemic, the most conference wins in Mean Green history. North Texas later joined UTSA in The American.
Carey, a former point guard, served on the coaching staff of her alma mater under Karen Aston, later the head coach at UTSA. In Austin the duo went 95-37 (.720) from 2016-20. During that stretch, the Texas Longhorns amassed a 53-17 (.757) record in the Big 12 Conference and advanced to the NCAA Championship three times, including two Sweet 16 appearances (2017 and 2018). 13 Longhorns earned All-Big 12 honors during her tenure, in addition to one Big 12 Player of the Year, four Big 12 All-Defensive selections, two All-Freshmen team honorees, one Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year and one Big 12 Rookie of the Year.
Four Longhorns were drafted in the WNBA during Carey's time on staff, which concluded as associate head coach.
A proven recruiter and player development coach, Carey was instrumental in signing two top 16 recruiting classes at Texas, in addition to two classes ranked third nationally.
Before Texas, Carey spent two seasons at Colorado, then a member of the Pac-12 Conference, and amassed a legendary high school coaching career in the Rocky Mountain state.
Outside of the coaching ranks, Carey served as Assistant Women's National Team Director for USA Basketball from 2010-14, in addition to other duties with the national governing body.
Carey, drafted 31st overall in the 2005 WNBA Draft, played four seasons for the Connecticut Sun, playing in the 2005 WNBA Finals. She suited up in 105 games over her professional career.
A 2023 inductee into the University of Texas Athletic Hall of Honor, Carey was a two-time First Team All-Big 12 selection, two-time Naismith Trophy finalist, two-time Big 12 First-Team All-Academic Team honoree, two-time Nancy Lieberman Award finalist (top women's point guard nationally) and two-time Wade Trophy finalist.
Over her intercollegiate career at Texas, the Longhorns participated in three NCAA tournaments with trips to the 2003 Women's Final Four and 2004 Sweet 16.
Carey, the 2002-03 Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, was named the State of Texas NCAA Woman of the Year for the 2004-05 academic year. Carey also earned the 2003-04 Jim Valvano Comeback Player of the Year, returning to the court after suffering a concussion at Stanford. She was a 2004-05 ESPN The Magazine Academic All-American honoree.
The 1999-00 Pac-10 Rookie of the Year while at Stanford, Carey helped lead the Cardinal to the second round of the NCAA tournament in her lone campaign on the hardwood.
At Horizon High School, Carey was crowned the 1998-99 Colorado Ms. Basketball, in addition to being the 1999 Gatorade Colorado Player of the Year. Carey has been inducted into the Colorado High School Activities Association and Horizon High School Halls of Fame.
A two-time medalist representing Team USA, Carey earned a silver medal in the 2003 Pan American Games and a bronze medal in the 1998 World Youth Games.
Carey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Texas in 2004 and later earned her Master of Education degree in sport management at UT in 2006.
Karen Aston, UTSA Head Women's Basketball Coach
"The Omaha women's basketball program has an absolute star as their new head coach. I have had the privilege to work alongside Jamie Carey as a coach and a peer for over 20 years and it has truly been a blessing. While her basketball prowess and passion for the game are remarkable, I believe the separator for Jamie is her ability to connect one on one with people and get the absolute best out of them. She is champion in every aspect and more importantly, a role model and advocate for women in athletics. I owe a great deal to Jamie and the time we have spent on the sidelines together has been priceless. She is a wonderful person, coach and an even better friend to me and my family."
Lisa Campos, Ed.D., UTSA Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics
"Jamie Carey is a rising star in the coaching profession. As both a player and an assistant coach, she has been mentored by one of the best in the business in Karen Aston. She truly embodied what it means to be a student-athlete, leading Texas to the Final Four as its starting point guard while earning two Academic All-America honors. That emphasis on developing the complete student-athlete, as a person and a player, is at the core of her philosophy. She has prepared herself well to be a head coach, with top-caliber coaching experience at both the high school and collegiate levels, as well as her administrative experience with USA Basketball. In Jamie, Omaha has hired a proven winner and a terrific mentor of young women."
Mike Thibault, longtime WNBA general manager/head coach and current head coach of the Belgian women's national team
"I am so excited for Jamie and the Omaha community that she will be the next head coach at UNO. She brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience to the program, having done both at the highest levels. She was one of the smartest players I have coached in the WNBA and was a natural coach on the floor. Jamie has the necessary vision and leadership ability to set the right course for the future of Maverick women's basketball. I look forward to watching her build the program over the coming years."
Brooke McCarty-Williams, Texas alumna and professional basketball player
"Omaha is getting a true winner and a competitor on and off of the court. Coach Carey's knowledge and feel for the game are unmatched when it comes to preparation and execution. Beyond the X's and O's, UNO is getting an extraordinary person who cares about you as a person before a player. Those who are coached by her will be blessed beyond measure."
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