Caldwell Hires Isoken Uzamere as New Assistant Coach
Tennessee women’s basketball has appointed Isoken Uzamere as the new assistant coach under head coach Kim Caldwell. This announcement was made on Tuesday, marking a significant addition to Tennessee’s coaching staff.
Background of Isoken Uzamere
Uzamere, pronounced ee-SO-ken ooh-ZAH-mer-ay, has been recognized as one of the “50 Most Impactful High Major NCAA Division I Women’s Assistant Coaches” in 2023 by Silver Waves Media. Her coaching career spans 14 years, during which she collaborated closely with Katie Abrahamson-Henderson at the University of Georgia (UGA) for four seasons.
Coaching Achievements
- Contributed to teams making nine NCAA Tournaments.
- Helped UGA achieve a 22-win season and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023.
- Played a pivotal role in the development of several key players, including Javyn Nicholson and Brittney Smith.
During her time at UGA, Uzamere specialized in coaching post players and was actively involved in recruiting and scouting. Her influence was instrumental in elevating player performance, particularly in her first season, where the team not only improved its record but also made an impressive NCAA Tournament run.
Prior Coaching Experience
Before UGA, Uzamere served as an assistant coach at UCF from 2016 to 2022. She contributed to a successful period that included:
- Five postseason appearances.
- Three NCAA Tournament bids.
- Winning the American Athletic Conference regular season and tournament titles in 2022.
At UCF, she was vital in developing top players who received numerous accolades, including Brittney Smith, who earned AAC Sixth Player of the Year honors.
Earlier Career Highlights
Uzamere began her coaching career at Albany, where she served from 2012 to 2016. Her efforts led Albany to:
- Four America East titles
- Four NCAA Tournament berths, including a historic win in 2016 against a No. 5 seed.
While at Albany, Uzamere was multi-faceted, overseeing manager operations, guiding post players, and assisting with strength and conditioning programs.
Playing Career
As a collegiate athlete, Uzamere played for Hofstra from 2007 to 2011. She was recognized as a two-time Colonial Athletic Association All-Academic player and began her coaching career shortly after graduation.
Education
Uzamere holds a Bachelor’s degree in communications from Hofstra and a Master’s degree focusing on interpersonal and intercultural communication from the University at Albany.
With her extensive background and commitment to player development, Isoken Uzamere is poised to make a significant impact on Tennessee women’s basketball. Coach Caldwell expressed excitement about Uzamere joining the program, highlighting her reputation and potential contributions to the team.
