University of Nebraska at Kearney Women's Basketball

Drew Johnson was named the eighth head women's basketball coach in Nebraska-Kearney history on May 9, 2023.  "My family and I are grateful to be headed to UNK, and I'm especially thankful to be able to raise our two boys in such a caring community. The people were the first thing to stand out to me," said Johnson. "Dr. Bauer laid out a vision that aligns perfectly with mine to develop student-athletes on and off the court. The community at Kearney is also second to none. I am excited to connect with the passionate fanbase and continue to lead this program forward."   Johnson helped rebuild the women's basketball programs at both MIAA-member Newman University (Wichita) and Bethel College (North Newton, Kan.). Additionally, he was a nine-year high school coach in Kansas (Valley Center, Derby and Clay Center) and co-founded Ohlde Elite, an AAU program. During his high school and club tenures, he coached players that went on to not only play in the MIAA and Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC), but also many Division I conferences such as the Big XII and Big East.    "We are thrilled to welcome Drew Johnson and his family to the Loper athletics program," said UNK Athletics Director Dr. Mr. Bauer. "Drew comes highly recommended from sources close to the program. His proven ability to develop women's basketball players and leaders will help our program continue to thrive in a tough MIAA conference and region." In 2023-24, the Lopers went 19-11, reached the second round of the MIAA Tournament and had two all-league sections. Ranked regionally throughout the year, UNK posted an 11-4 home record and started the year 7-0. Off the court, the Lopers had four qualify for Academic All-District honors and 15 named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll.    An All-KCAC punter at Friends (Wichita) University, Johnson took over a Bethel Threshers program that was 4-23 (2-20) the year prior to his arrival. He promptly tripled the win total in year one and then set a new program record for victories (20) in year two. The following winter, Bethel set several school records en route to hosting its first KCAC Tournament game in eight years. Finally, the Threshers won 16 games in 2020-21 and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time.    At Newman, the Jets beat Central Oklahoma in the 2023 regular season finale to reach the MIAA Tournament for the first time in program history. NU also had a seven-win improvement from the year before, with Britney Ho earning third-team All-MIAA honors and reaching 1,000 career points. His overall collegiate record is now 94-109.  "Drew is a process-driven coach with a proven track record of winning at every step of his career. He's recruited extensively in the Midwest, assembling teams that are competitive. He has MIAA coaching experience and knows the competitiveness and strength of the conference," said Bauer.    UNK went 101-23 between 2019-22, reaching three NCAA Division II Tournaments, winning the 2021 MIAA Tournament title and 2023 MIAA regular season title.   "Success doesn't happen by accident. My goal is to build a championship culture that grows every aspect of the student-athlete. The standard has been set, and I look forward to leading this program to many more milestones," said Johnson.    At Bethel, he coached nine All-KCAC honorees, including three NAIA All-Americans. Hometown product and under-recruited Abby Schmidt became a three-time All-American under Johnson's tutelage, setting a new KCAC record for rebounds (1,399) along the way. She also was a three-time KCAC Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time all-league selection.    "We set out to find a leader who will develop young women on and off the court, and I am confident Drew will be a tremendous coach and mentor for the women in our program," Bauer said. "I know Coach Johnson is excited to get started and continue to build and elevate the program."   He and his wife, Nicole, have two sons, Dax and Cooper.    Meet Drew Johnson Coaching Experience Newman University, head coach (2021-23) Bethel College University, head coach (2017-21) Ohlde Elite AAU (2014-17) Nine-years of high school experience at Clay Center, Derby and Valley Center Personal: A native of Hutchinson, Kansas, Johnson and his wife, former WNBA and Kansas State star Nicole Ohlde, have two sons, Dax and Cooper. Nicole was co-head coach at Newman, an assistant coach at Bethel and worked with Ohlde Elite Education: Bachelor's in Education, Friends University, 2011 Playing Experience: Two-year co-captain and four-year letterwinner on the Friends football team … All-KCAC punter … helped the Falcons go 33-9  

K.C. Bassett joined the Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball program as an assistant coach on June 1, 2025.  In May 2025, Coach Bassett completed 11 years as the Sterling College (Sterling, Kan.) head women’s basketball coach with a 231-118 record. From 2021-25, she simultaneously served as Sterling’s Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Leader. Since the 2018-2019 season, Lady Warrior teams finished with two 30-2in and four 20-win seasons to post an overall record of 173-51. They won three Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) regular season championships, three KCAC conference tournament championships and made six trips to the NAIA National Tournament (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025) in Sioux City, Ia.  During Coach Bassett’s tenure, six Lady Warriors earned 12 NAIA All-American honors. Next, three players were voted KCAC Player of the Year, and four earned KCAC Freshmen of the Year/Newcomer of the Year honors. Finally, between 2015 and 2025, 16 different Lady Warriors earned 40 All-KCAC 40 honors.  In 2024, the Lady Warriors’ team GPA of 3.81 was highest in NAIA women’s basketball, placing Sterling atop the 2023-24 WBCA Academic NAIA Top 25 Team Honor Roll. In February 2025, eight varsity and junior varsity Lady Warriors were honored as Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athletes (NAIA Academic All-Americans).    Following a 2020-2021 season in which Sterling’s single loss over 31 games came in the NAIA National Tournament Sweet Sixteen, Coach Bassett was selected by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) as the NAIA National Coach of the Year. She also was tabbed by the Kansas Basketball Coaches Association (KBCA) as its 4-Year Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year. She was a three-time KCAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year (2021, 2022, and 2023) and in July 2015, was named KCAC Champion of Character Coach of the Year. Bassett was an assistant coach for the Lady Warriors from 2007 to 2014 under the tutelage of NAIA, Kansas, and Sterling College Hall of Famer Lonnie Kruse. As an assistant, Bassett helped Sterling attain a combined record of 146-72, winning the KCAC regular season championship four times, the KCAC Tournament five times, and making five NAIA National Tournament appearances. From 2003-2007, Bassett was a four-year starter and twice captain on Sterling College teams that finished with a combined record of 99-28 [78%] and won two conference championships and one KCAC tournament championship. Her teams made three trips to the NAIA National Tournament where they finished in the Sweet Sixteen twice and Elite Eight once. She began her playing career in 2003-2004 as the KCAC Freshman of the Year and an honorable mention All-Conference pick and ended [2006-2007] as the KCAC’s Player of the Year and a third-team NAIA All-American. During her Sterling career, she was a three-time first-team All-KCAC selection who earned NAIA Scholar-Athlete honors twice. Bassett ended her career as Sterling’s all-time assist leader [549] and ninth leading scorer [1,374]. That spring, she graduated summa cum laude and as Sterling College’s Outstanding Student of the Yea. Bassett then received the Professor Fran Jabara Leadership Award and was named the Sterling College Woman Athlete of Year. In October 2016, Coach Bassett was inducted into the Sterling College Athletics Hall of Fame for her SC playing career. While an assistant coach, Bassett taught in the Exercise Science Department for three years, and taught Sports Psychology each semester for an additional eight years. She co-led mission trips for SC athletes to Panama, Nicaragua, and Alaska (twice). Education B.A. in Education from Sterling College, 2007 M.S. in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation from Emporia State University, 2010  

Nicole Ohlde-Johnson is in her first year as the head assistant coach for Nebraska-Kearney women’s basketball. The former Kansas State and WNBA star has worked alongside her husband, Drew Johnson, the past decade in leading programs at MIAA-member Newman University (2021-23), NAIA Bethel College (2017-21) and starting the Ohlde Elite and Ohlde Academy programs.  The Bethel Threshers  was 4-23 (2-20 KCAC) the year prior to the Johnson's arrival. They promptly tripled the win total in year one and then set a new program record for victories (20) in year two. The following winter, Bethel set several school records en route to hosting its first KCAC Tournament game in eight years. Finally, the Threshers won 16 games in 2020-21 and advanced to the NAIA National Tournament for the first time.    At Newman, the Jets beat Central Oklahoma in the 2023 regular season finale to reach the MIAA Tournament for the first time in program history. NU also had a seven-win improvement from the year before, with Britney Ho earning third-team All-MIAA honors and reaching 1,000 career points.  The Ohlde Elite and Academy programs sent a numbers of players into the collegiate ranks including former Loper standout Elisa Backes. A 6-5 post, Ohlde-Johnson played in the WNBA between 2004-19 with the Minnesota Lynx, Phoenix Mercury and Tulsa Shock. The first-round pick of the Lynx won a title with the Mercury in 2009 and had WNBA career averages of 8.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 76% at the line. She also had a lengthy overseas career. At K-State, Ohlde-Johnson was a two-time Kodak, Associated Press and U.S. Basketball Writers Association All-American. The 2001 Big XII Freshman of the Year went on to be the league’s Player of the Year in both 2003 and 2004. Finally, she was a three-time first-team all-league selection. Ohlde-Johnson left as the Wildcats all-time leader in points (2,161), rebounds (970) and blocks (201) and was part of three NCAA Tournament squads. That included the 2002 team that reached the Sweet 16 for the third time in program history and the 2004 unit that won a Big XII regular season title. A two-time gold medalist as a member of the USA Basketball World Championships for Young Women’s team, Ohlde-Johnson was a Social Science major at K-State who earned Big XII Academic first-team honors three times. The Johnson's have two sons, Dax and Cooper.