Amy Briggs was named the Newman University head women’s basketball coach by Athletic Director Joanna Pryor on June 12.
“Coach Briggs is a winner,” Pryor said. “We are very excited to watch her take over her own program and continue her winning ways. Coach Briggs’ values fit with Newman’s mission in empowering graduates to transform society.”
Briggs becomes the fifth Newman women’s basketball head coach in Newman history in the DII era. Before becoming head coach, she spent the last three seasons at Truman State University where she served as assistant for two seasons before being promoted to associate head coach before the 2022-23 season.
“I want to thank Newman University President Dr. Kathleen S. Jagger and Director of Athletics Joanna Pryor for trusting me with this incredible opportunity,” said Briggs. “From the time I stepped on campus, it was apparent that there is a commitment to excellence and a commitment to the student-athletes and their graduation.”
During her time at Truman State, the Bulldogs went 46-26 overall and 36-10 in the Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC). The Bulldogs made the conference tournament all three seasons and reached the NCAA DII Midwest Regional in the 2020-21 season, defeating No. 6 Northwood University before falling to No. 2 Drury University in the 2nd round.
The gratitude for those along her journey is apparent.
Briggs said, “I also want to give a very special thank you to Head Coach Theo Dean at Truman State University, you have prepared me well for this opportunity.”
I am committed to ensuring that these young women are champions on the floor, in the community and in the classroom.
Amy Briggs, Newman University head women’s basketball coach
Prior to Truman, Briggs spent four seasons at Central College, where the Dutch increased its win total every year. In her last season, the team won 15 games, being the highest single-season win total in 19 years, and made its first trip in 16 campaigns to the conference tournament. Briggs helped produce five All-Conference players and 1 D3Hoops.com All-Region player.
Briggs began her coaching career at Missouri Valley College in Marshall as a graduate assistant. She was part of producing an NAIA All-American honorable mention, four All-Heart of America Conference performers and an HOA Conference Newcomer of the Year.
Briggs was a first-team GLVC selection and earned a spot on the all-GLVC tournament team after the Bulldogs captured their first conference tournament title in 2014. She set a new school single-season record with 80 three-pointers that season in 31 games. For her Truman career, she knocked down 41% of her three-point attempts (133-324), scoring 11.0 points per game with 199 assists and 50 steals. Her Truman single-game high in points was 27 against Quincy University in 2014 and she had two games with 10 assists.
Prior to her Bulldog career, Briggs was a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American and appeared in two NJCAA Division II Championship tournaments at Johnson County Community College. She made 103 three-pointers in 2011-12 and her two seasons with the Cavaliers posted a 64-8 overall record.
Briggs replaces Drew and Nicole Johnson, who resigned after the 2022-23 season after reaching the MIAA postseason tournament for the first time in program history and reached the postseason for the first time since the 2018-19 season. Jets improved their 2021-22 win total from three games to 10 on their way to their MIAA postseason debut. The Jets return five players from last year’s squad for 2023-24.
Briggs’ statement concluded with a nod to the foundation for the future of the Jets program, “I am excited to lead this program into this new era. I am committed to ensuring that these young women are champions on the floor, in the community and in the classroom.”
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