Oregon women’s basketball: Ducks improve coaching staff with former Utah Utes coach

The University of Oregon just bolstered its women’s basketball coaching staff a bit as head coach Kelly Graves added a former member of the Utah Utes women’s basketball program. Graves was able to get Jerise Freeman to leave the Utes and join the Oregon Ducks women’s basketball coaching staff.

And, according to the official Oregon press release on the matter, it seems like Graves is pretty excited about the experience and energy that Freeman will be able to bring to the Ducks as Oregon’s new assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.

“We are so excited to add someone of Jerise’s caliber to our staff,” Graves said in a statement in Oregon’s press release. “Her energy is contagious and her recruiting and coaching resume speaks for itself, as she has experienced tremendous success at two different Power 5 programs.”

Before making it to Eugene, Freeman spent three solid seasons with the Utah Utes, a team she helped build into NCAA Tournament appearance caliber. During her time at Utah, Freeman helped Utah make it to the Sweet 16.

And before she coached in Salt Lake City, Freeman was a part of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball coaching staff. While Freeman was in Stillwater, the Cowgirls made it to the NCAA women’s basketball tournament on two occasions and she helped develop a number of talented players.

This is a solid addition to Oregon’s coaching staff and the amount of experience she has as a coach at high level programs should help the Ducks considerably.  

Earlier stops in Freeman’s coaching journey included Eastern Washington, Newman University, and Missouri State. She’s coached all over the country and, given her role as a recruiting coordinator, she should be able to help the Ducks identify solid talent. 

In her statement, Freeman highlighted the opportunity to “[join] the vibrant Eugene community” as well as her excitement to have the “opportunity to learn from and work with Coach Graves and his amazing staff.