University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Women's Basketball Adds Two New Assistants
7/1/2015 3:48:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Northern Colorado women's basketball welcomes Austin Thoms and Laurie Koehn
Laurie Koehn's Bio
Austin Thoms' Bio
GREELEY—Head coach Kamie Ethridge announced new additions to her coaching staff for the 2015-16 women's basketball season on Wednesday, welcoming Laurie Koehn and Austin Thoms.
"It has been many years since I was part of a staff change and it is difficult to hire outside of the 'circle of peers' we know," Ethridge said. "With the hiring of Austin and Laurie to our staff, I am so confident in the future of UNC women's basketball. The work ethic, commitment to excellence, integrity and values that these two represent make them perfect additions to our staff."
Both Thoms and Koehn will take over as assistant coaches as Deb Patterson moves into the role of Director of Basketball Operations role, while former associate head coach Shalee Lehning has gone on to pursue opportunities outside of basketball.
Koehn is well known by Ethridge and her staff since she played for them from 2001-05 while they were at Kansas State. During her time as a Wildcat, she earned many accolades, including becoming the NCAA all-time leader in three point shots made. She held the record until just this season when it was broken by Connecticut's Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.
After completing her career at Kansas State Koehn went on to play professionally both in the WNBA and overseas for a combined 11 years. During that time she played for both the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream of the WNBA along with playing in Turkey, Poland and Australia.
"I have known Laurie Koehn since she was in 9th grade when we started recruiting her. She is an example and role model for every player we will recruit as to what basketball can do for you if you commit to this game," said Ethridge. "Her shooting abilities and work ethic allowed her to play, not only in college, but also, professionally for 11 years. We are fortunate to add her to this staff now that she has decided to retire from playing."
Thoms comes to UNC after serving as the video coordinator and administrative assistant for Nebraska's women's basketball program. During his three years at Nebraska he helped the program reach the NCAA tournament each year. Prior to his job with the Cornhuskers, he coached at Hawaii Pacific along with being a volunteer assistant at Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne. Thoms played basketball collegiately at Concordia in Seward, Neb., and Taylor University in Upland, Ind. While at Taylor he was named to the 2010 NAIA Scholastic All-American Team.
He also has experience working a variety of summer basketball camps during his time, including being the Camp Director for Nebraska head coach Connie Yori's camp, and a camp counselor at Coach K's Duke Basketball Camp for two years.
"During this process Austin Thoms separated himself from so many others," Ethridge said. "His experience as a player at Taylor University, coaching at Hawaii Pacific University and being the Women's Basketball Video and Administrative Coordinator for the University of Nebraska gives him tremendous experience and unique insight to playing and coaching at this level. He is young, ambitious, knowledgeable and excited to be a part of and add to the growth of Northern Colorado women's basketball."
Ethridge and the rest of her staff will now prepare to follow-up a record breaking 2014-15 season as the calendar flips closer to November 13 when the Bears open the year at Denver.
Austin Thoms' Bio
GREELEY—Head coach Kamie Ethridge announced new additions to her coaching staff for the 2015-16 women's basketball season on Wednesday, welcoming Laurie Koehn and Austin Thoms.
"It has been many years since I was part of a staff change and it is difficult to hire outside of the 'circle of peers' we know," Ethridge said. "With the hiring of Austin and Laurie to our staff, I am so confident in the future of UNC women's basketball. The work ethic, commitment to excellence, integrity and values that these two represent make them perfect additions to our staff."
Both Thoms and Koehn will take over as assistant coaches as Deb Patterson moves into the role of Director of Basketball Operations role, while former associate head coach Shalee Lehning has gone on to pursue opportunities outside of basketball.
Koehn is well known by Ethridge and her staff since she played for them from 2001-05 while they were at Kansas State. During her time as a Wildcat, she earned many accolades, including becoming the NCAA all-time leader in three point shots made. She held the record until just this season when it was broken by Connecticut's Kaleena Mosqueda-Lewis.
After completing her career at Kansas State Koehn went on to play professionally both in the WNBA and overseas for a combined 11 years. During that time she played for both the Washington Mystics and Atlanta Dream of the WNBA along with playing in Turkey, Poland and Australia.
"I have known Laurie Koehn since she was in 9th grade when we started recruiting her. She is an example and role model for every player we will recruit as to what basketball can do for you if you commit to this game," said Ethridge. "Her shooting abilities and work ethic allowed her to play, not only in college, but also, professionally for 11 years. We are fortunate to add her to this staff now that she has decided to retire from playing."
Thoms comes to UNC after serving as the video coordinator and administrative assistant for Nebraska's women's basketball program. During his three years at Nebraska he helped the program reach the NCAA tournament each year. Prior to his job with the Cornhuskers, he coached at Hawaii Pacific along with being a volunteer assistant at Indiana University-Purdue University-Fort Wayne. Thoms played basketball collegiately at Concordia in Seward, Neb., and Taylor University in Upland, Ind. While at Taylor he was named to the 2010 NAIA Scholastic All-American Team.
He also has experience working a variety of summer basketball camps during his time, including being the Camp Director for Nebraska head coach Connie Yori's camp, and a camp counselor at Coach K's Duke Basketball Camp for two years.
"During this process Austin Thoms separated himself from so many others," Ethridge said. "His experience as a player at Taylor University, coaching at Hawaii Pacific University and being the Women's Basketball Video and Administrative Coordinator for the University of Nebraska gives him tremendous experience and unique insight to playing and coaching at this level. He is young, ambitious, knowledgeable and excited to be a part of and add to the growth of Northern Colorado women's basketball."
Ethridge and the rest of her staff will now prepare to follow-up a record breaking 2014-15 season as the calendar flips closer to November 13 when the Bears open the year at Denver.
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