SAN ANTONIO -- The University of the Incarnate Word Director of Athletics Dr. Brian Wickstrom announced the appointment of Jeff Dow as the head coach of the women's basketball team on Monday.
 
Dow comes to UIW after five seasons as the head coach at the University of Louisiana Monroe (2014-2019). With nearly 30 years of coaching experience both as an assistant and as a head coach, Dow has guided his teams to 500 victories. He holds an all-time record of 258-192 as a head coach.
 
"I'm thrilled to have Jeff joining our staff," said Angela Lawson, head of the search committee and senior associate director of athletics/academic affairs/SWA. "One thing that stands out to me most is how detail-oriented he is, so I know he'll take care of the little things on the court, like discipline and fundamentals. He has also been around the game for a long time and has had the opportunity to work for and with a lot of good coaches in the country. I believe this has put him in a situation to be confident in his systems and in his coaching style, which will help him be successful in the Southland Conference."
 
"Jeff Dow is a terrific basketball coach and mentor whom I've known for over a decade," added University of Texas men's basketball Head Coach Shaka Smart. "His passion for his players and ability to build relationships are truly impressive. Jeff will do big things at UIW."
 
As a head coach and as a first assistant, Dow has compiled twelve 20-win seasons, seven NCAA tournament appearances, four postseason WNIT appearances and six conference championships. In the eight years just prior to his inaugural season at ULM, Dow averaged over 23 wins per season with an overall record as a head coach of 187-57 (.766) and a 117-29 (.801) mark in conference play. Dow's squads also registered winning seasons in each of those eight years.
 
In Dow's five years at ULM, 45 Warhawks were named to either the ULM's Dean's List (3.5 or higher GPA), the Sun Belt Conference Commissioner's List (3.5 or higher GPA) or the Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll (3.0-3.49 GPA). In 2015-16, senior point guard Aundrea Davis, a San Antonio native, was named to ULM's President's List for achieving a 4.0 GPA for the spring 2016 semester.
 
"I had the privilege of interviewing Jeff," said Sr. Walter Maher, CCVI, vice president for Mission and Ministry. "What inspired me was his commitment to academic excellence, the idea of play, and, most importantly, helping the members of the women's basketball team engage in the quest of meaning and understanding of their spiritual, emotional and social journey. He is dedicated to helping the student-athletes recognize they are part of a community which looks beyond self to others who are in need."
 
While at ULM, Dow registered the Warhawks' only non-conference winning record since the 2009-10 season, a feat his teams accomplished twice (2015-16 and 2018-19). Dow also recruited and coached Arsula Clark, the 2017-18 Louisiana Sportswriter's Freshman of the Year (first in school history) and a 2018-19 All-Sun Belt Conference selection. This marked the first time in ULM's history that a sophomore had achieved that honor.
 
Prior to beginning his tenure at ULM, Dow was one of the most successful coaches in Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) history (2008-13), compiling a five-year record of 108-40 (.729) at the helm, with a 65-21 (.756) mark in conference. Dow guided the Crimson Hawks to the NCAA Tournament three times and won the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship in 2009. Dow coached the Crimson Hawks to a No. 7 ranking in the WBCA Coaches Poll in 2008-09. He also got them to No. 19 in 2009-10, No. 17 in 2011-12 and No. 12 in 2012-13.
 
"Jeff is one of the best and brightest coaches in our game," said Kelly Graves, University of Oregon women's basketball head coach. "He has a great ability to relate to and motivate young people while being an excellent tactician and teacher of the game. I'm confident that Jeff will lead UIW to new heights. And, as a former Duck, we wish him and his new program all the best."
 
In the postseason, Dow's squad garnered first round victories in the 2009, 2012 and 2013 NCAA Division II tournaments. He was also the first head coach in school history to win 20 games in his debut season, and to win 10 or more games in the PSAC West Division in five consecutive seasons. During his tenure at IUP, Dow recruited and/or coached three players that were named All-Americans: Jahzinga Tracey, Sarah Pastorek and Lindsay Stamp. Off the court, Dow had a combined 63 student-athletes earn IUP Dean's List honors and 33 were named PSAC Scholar Athletes.
 
"I'm excited to bring in a high-caliber coach in Jeff Dow," said Wickstrom. "Knowing where we are currently positioned as a department within the Southland Conference and knowing where our programs are going, I know Jeff will be a great fit to lead our women's basketball program to future successes. I want to thank Angela Lawson and the search committee for their time and efforts in making the best selection for our program."
 
"I want to thank Angela Lawson, Sr. Walter Maher, and Dr. Brian Wickstrom for giving me the opportunity to lead the UIW women's basketball program," said Dow. "With the resources UIW provides, along with the shared goal of providing the best student-athlete experience possible, I feel that together, the women's basketball program can join the other successful sports in raising the profile of the university."
 
Dow joined IUP from Anderson University (S.C.) where he tallied a record of 79-17 (.822) and led his teams to the NCAA East Region tournament each season. In his three years at the helm (2005-08), Dow was one of just eight head coaches to lead his program to at least one NCAA Division II tournament victory in three consecutive years. He guided Anderson to two Conference Carolinas regular season titles and one postseason championship in 2005-06. His 2005-06 squad led all NCAA Division II schools in scoring (83.5 points per game). Dow held a 52-8 (.867) record in conference play and posted a 40-2 home record in three seasons. While at Anderson, Dow recruited and/or coached three players that earned All-American honors: LaShonda Chiles, Deidra Langston and Nikki Anthony.
 
In his final season at Anderson in 2007-08, the program finished in the top 10 in the country in win-loss percentage, scoring defense, rebound margin and scoring margin and was ranked as high as No. 12 in the WBCA national poll. For his team's accomplishments, Dow was selected the Conference Carolinas Coach of the Year. In his first two seasons, Dow's Anderson squads were ranked 13th and 17th, respectively, in the WBCA national poll.
 
Prior to Anderson, Dow held the first assistant position at Colorado State (2002-05), Santa Clara (2000-02), UC-Irvine (1996-99) and New Mexico State (1992-96). Collectively during his time at those four universities, they had an overall record of 218-134 and a combined conference record of 122-65. Over the course of those 12 seasons, Dow's teams made five appearances in the NCAA or postseason WNIT tournament and won two regular season conference championships. During his tenure at NMSU as the post position coach, Dow worked with three-time Big West Conference Player of the Year, 1995-96 All-American and former WNBA player Anita Maxwell. While at UCI, the Anteaters posted an 11-4 record in Big West Conference play (1997-98), which still stands as the most conference wins the program has achieved since the 1994-95 season.
 
Dow had his first head coaching job at 24 years old at Texas A&M University-Kingsville (1990-91). His team was picked to finish last in the preseason poll in his first year, but Dow propelled them to a third-place showing and reached the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament. As the Lady Javelinas' coach, Dow recruited and/or coached Patricia Rivers and Karen Weiss who were named WBCA All-Americans under Dow and were later inducted into the university's athletics hall of fame.
 
Dow started his career as a graduate assistant at the University of Oregon in 1989-90. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and physical education in 1988 and his master's in physical education in 1991 from Oregon.
 
Dow is married to Dr. Emily Dow and the couple has two daughters, Chloe and Helena.
 
COACH DOW'S FILE
Alma Mater: Oregon (B.A. 1988 and M.A. 1991)
Head Coaching Record: 258-192 
Overall Coaching Record: 500-358 
 
2019-Pres.: University of the Incarnate Word
2014-19: University of Louisiana Monroe Head Coach
2008-13: Indiana University of Pennsylvania Head Coach
2005-08: Anderson University Head Coach
2002-05: Colorado State Assistant Coach
2000-02: Santa Clara Assistant Coach
1999-00: UTSA Interim Head Coach
1996-99: UC Irvine Assistant Coach
1992-96: New Mexico State Assistant Coach
1990-92: Texas A&M-Kingsville Head Coach
1989-90: Oregon Graduate Assistant
 
 
WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING
Frank Condino, former athletics director, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
"I enjoyed working with Jeff at IUP and I look forward to watching him succeed at UIW."
 
Joe Foley, women's basketball head coach, University of Arkansas-Little Rock
"Jeff Dow is a proven winner on and off the floor -- he has a proven record on the floor with all his wins, NCAA and NIT appearances -- but there is nobody I respect more in coaching and in life because of how he always shows complete enthusiasm and hard work towards the game, his players, and his family."
 
Krista Gerlich, women's basketball head coach, University of Texas at Arlington 
"Jeff has a great basketball mind and excellent work ethic. His teams have always been prepared and play extremely hard. UIW has great potential to become highly competitive and successful with Jeff at the helm. Congratulations to Coach Dow and his family!"
 
Frances Nee, former SWA and associate athletics director, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
"Jeff Dow had an immediate impact on the IUP women's basketball program. In his first year, he won the conference championship, and he continued a winning tradition at IUP. Under his guidance, the IUP women's basketball team excelled both academically and athletically."
 
Mike Petersen, assistant coach, WNBA's Atlanta Dream, former head coach at North Texas, Wake Forest, Gonzaga, New Mexico State, and TCU
"I have known Jeff for over 30 years and he is a tremendous hire for the University of the Incarnate Word. He is a tireless worker who is detail-oriented and has a bright basketball mind.  I am excited to follow the success that is certainly on the horizon for UIW."
 
Yvonne Sanchez, women's basketball assistant coach, Michigan; former women's basketball head coach, the University of New Mexico
"Terrific Hire! Jeff is a tireless worker with an incredible basketball mind. His passion and energy are a terrific fit for UIW."