Baylor Has Hired Former WNBA Coach Nicki Collen to Lead the Lady Bears

Late last month, legendary Baylor Lady Bears basketball coach Kim Mulkey announced she was leaving BU to coach in her home state of Louisiana. No one can replace Coach Kim, but Baylor has announced the coach who will step up with hopes of keeping the Lady Bears momentum going.

Coach Kim leaving was a surprise to most of us but as they say, "the show must go on."

And on it goes as Baylor University has hired former WNBA  Atlanta Dream's head coach, Nicki Collen.

Get our free mobile app

Collen coached the Dream for three seasons, even earning WNBA Coach of the Year honors in 2018 as the Dream finished the season at 23-11 and loss in the semi-finals.

Collen, a former college athlete playing basketball at both Purdue and Marquette, played one year of professional basketball in Greece for the BCM Alexandros in 1997 before starting her college coaching career at Colorado State as an assistant coach in 2001.

Collen would also spend time as an assistant coach at Ball State, Louisville, Arkansas and Florida Gulf Coast before taking an assistant coaching job with the Connecticut Sun from 2015 to 2017.

Baylor Athletic Director Mack Rhoades said in a statement, “Today is an exciting day for Baylor University and our women’s basketball program. Nicki is a passionate leader of young women and an elite basketball mind and teacher of the game.” 

KWTX reports that Collen will be formally introduced on Wednesday, 5/05, at the Ferrell Center. Collen said in a statement, “I am thrilled to be the head coach at Baylor University. I believe it is the top job in the country for women’s basketball.”

Welcome aboard Coach Collen, Sic em Bears!