University of Northern Colorado Athletics
UNC Women's Basketball Announces Coach Staff Additions
6/4/2026 12:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
GREELEY, Colo.- Northern Colorado women's basketball Head Coach Kristen Mattio has announced the hiring of two assistant coaches for the 2026-27 season.
"We are thrilled to add Jenna and Jamie to our women's basketball staff," Mattio said. "They both bring tremendous passion for building meaningful relationships, developing student-athletes, and positively impacting everyone around them each day."
Mattio welcomes coaches Jenna Knudson and Jamie Williams to Greeley.
"Jenna and Jamie have an incredible ability to connect with student-athletes and help bring out the best in them both on and off the court," Mattio said. "They have built relationships across the country and bring valuable experiences and connections from all over the states. Our program got better and became stronger with the addition of these two.
MEET THE COACHES
JENNA KNUDSON | ASSISTANT COACH/DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING
UNC Women's Basketball adds Jenna Knudson to its staff after she spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach at University of Arizona. Prior to Arizona, Knudson served two seasons as an assistant coach at Drury University, helping guide the Lady Panthers to a combined 47-14 record across two seasons and multiple NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.
"Jenna is a Colorado native and a very respected coach in women's basketball. She will bring her Big 12 coaching experience along with a clear understanding of what it takes to compete and succeed at the highest level. She is an outstanding recruiter and teacher of the game which will bring tremendous value and perspective to our program. Jenna now joins another member of her family in being a Bear as her dad is an alumnus of UNC and participated on the track team. We are excited to welcome Jenna to Bear Country" said Head Coach Kristen Mattio.
In her first season at Drury, Knudson helped the Lady Panthers post a 25-7 record, secure an 18-4 GLVC mark, and make the program's eighth straight appearance in the GLVC championship game along with their 21st NCAA Division II Tournament berth. Drury featured four All-GLVC performers, including GLVC and Midwest Region Player of the Year Reese Schaaf.
Prior to her time at Drury, Knudson spent four seasons at Quincy University, serving as an assistant coach from 2022-24 and as a graduate assistant from 2020-22. Working alongside head coach Kaci Bailey, Knudson helped engineer a turnaround at Quincy, elevating the program from a 15th-place finish in the GLVC to its first postseason appearance in seven years.
Knudson played collegiately for current Head Coach at Arizona Burke at Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), where she was a three-time All-California Pacific Conference selection and set a program record for steals. As a senior, she helped lead Embry-Riddle's inaugural teams to a combined 81-29 record over four seasons.
A native of Sterling, Colorado, she holds a bachelor's degree in business from Embry-Riddle and a master's degree in business administration from Quincy University.
"I'm truly honored and excited for the opportunity to join Coach Mattio and the entire women's basketball program at the University of Northern Colorado. From the very beginning, it was clear that this is a program built on strong relationships, high standards, and a genuine commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of such a special culture and am looking forward to contributing in every way I can while helping continue the success and growth of the program" stated Jenna Knudson.
JAMIE WILLIAMS | ASSISTANT COACH/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Jamie Williams joins the staff from Colorado State, bringing a strong background in both academics and high-level playing experience.
"Jamie will serve as a vital piece of our program and bring tremendous value to both our staff and student-athletes. Her organization, efficiency and attention to detail will elevate the day-to-day operations of our program. Jamie is extremely passionate about supporting student-athletes and making sure they have a clear path to achieve success. This will be a smooth transition for Jamie as she will fit great into our staff culture. We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to UNC" said Head Coach Kristen Mattio.
Williams played Division I basketball at Coastal Carolina University, where she competed across four seasons and earned a spot on the 2017–18 Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll.
Across her Coastal Carolina career, she developed into a versatile contributor while balancing strong academic performance and consistent playing time at the Division I level.
Williams is currently completing a master's degree in clinical Mental Health and Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado. Coaching also runs in her family, as her sister is an assistant coach for the women's basketball program at Texas Tech University.
"Being a Director of Operations has been a dream job for me, and I am so grateful Coach Mattio to extend this opportunity to join her staff and support this team. I'm ready to dive right into the blue collar, gold standard way and do my part to help this team be all around successful. Also, looking forward to getting to know the fans and being a part of this Northern Colorado community" stated Jamie Williams.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB)
"We are thrilled to add Jenna and Jamie to our women's basketball staff," Mattio said. "They both bring tremendous passion for building meaningful relationships, developing student-athletes, and positively impacting everyone around them each day."
Mattio welcomes coaches Jenna Knudson and Jamie Williams to Greeley.
"Jenna and Jamie have an incredible ability to connect with student-athletes and help bring out the best in them both on and off the court," Mattio said. "They have built relationships across the country and bring valuable experiences and connections from all over the states. Our program got better and became stronger with the addition of these two.
MEET THE COACHES
JENNA KNUDSON | ASSISTANT COACH/DIRECTOR OF RECRUITING
UNC Women's Basketball adds Jenna Knudson to its staff after she spent the 2025-26 season as an assistant coach at University of Arizona. Prior to Arizona, Knudson served two seasons as an assistant coach at Drury University, helping guide the Lady Panthers to a combined 47-14 record across two seasons and multiple NCAA Division II Tournament appearances.
"Jenna is a Colorado native and a very respected coach in women's basketball. She will bring her Big 12 coaching experience along with a clear understanding of what it takes to compete and succeed at the highest level. She is an outstanding recruiter and teacher of the game which will bring tremendous value and perspective to our program. Jenna now joins another member of her family in being a Bear as her dad is an alumnus of UNC and participated on the track team. We are excited to welcome Jenna to Bear Country" said Head Coach Kristen Mattio.
In her first season at Drury, Knudson helped the Lady Panthers post a 25-7 record, secure an 18-4 GLVC mark, and make the program's eighth straight appearance in the GLVC championship game along with their 21st NCAA Division II Tournament berth. Drury featured four All-GLVC performers, including GLVC and Midwest Region Player of the Year Reese Schaaf.
Prior to her time at Drury, Knudson spent four seasons at Quincy University, serving as an assistant coach from 2022-24 and as a graduate assistant from 2020-22. Working alongside head coach Kaci Bailey, Knudson helped engineer a turnaround at Quincy, elevating the program from a 15th-place finish in the GLVC to its first postseason appearance in seven years.
Knudson played collegiately for current Head Coach at Arizona Burke at Embry-Riddle (Ariz.), where she was a three-time All-California Pacific Conference selection and set a program record for steals. As a senior, she helped lead Embry-Riddle's inaugural teams to a combined 81-29 record over four seasons.
A native of Sterling, Colorado, she holds a bachelor's degree in business from Embry-Riddle and a master's degree in business administration from Quincy University.
"I'm truly honored and excited for the opportunity to join Coach Mattio and the entire women's basketball program at the University of Northern Colorado. From the very beginning, it was clear that this is a program built on strong relationships, high standards, and a genuine commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court. I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of such a special culture and am looking forward to contributing in every way I can while helping continue the success and growth of the program" stated Jenna Knudson.
JAMIE WILLIAMS | ASSISTANT COACH/DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
Jamie Williams joins the staff from Colorado State, bringing a strong background in both academics and high-level playing experience.
"Jamie will serve as a vital piece of our program and bring tremendous value to both our staff and student-athletes. Her organization, efficiency and attention to detail will elevate the day-to-day operations of our program. Jamie is extremely passionate about supporting student-athletes and making sure they have a clear path to achieve success. This will be a smooth transition for Jamie as she will fit great into our staff culture. We are thrilled to welcome Jamie to UNC" said Head Coach Kristen Mattio.
Williams played Division I basketball at Coastal Carolina University, where she competed across four seasons and earned a spot on the 2017–18 Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll.
Across her Coastal Carolina career, she developed into a versatile contributor while balancing strong academic performance and consistent playing time at the Division I level.
Williams is currently completing a master's degree in clinical Mental Health and Counseling at the University of Northern Colorado. Coaching also runs in her family, as her sister is an assistant coach for the women's basketball program at Texas Tech University.
"Being a Director of Operations has been a dream job for me, and I am so grateful Coach Mattio to extend this opportunity to join her staff and support this team. I'm ready to dive right into the blue collar, gold standard way and do my part to help this team be all around successful. Also, looking forward to getting to know the fans and being a part of this Northern Colorado community" stated Jamie Williams.
FOLLOW THE BEARS: Fans can follow and stay up to date on all the Bear action at uncbears.com and on social media. Follow the Bears on X (formerly Twitter) (@UNC_BearsWBB), Instagram (@UNC_BearsWBB), and Facebook (/UNCBearsWBB)
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