By Patrick Cooley, Sports Editor
UNO women’s basketball coach Patty Patton Shearer announced her resignation on Wednesday, ending a seven-year run as head coach of the Mavs.
“I am making a change that is in the best interest of our program and our family,” Patton Shearer said in Wednesday’s press release. “I have the utmost gratitude to the chancellor and the administration for their support over the years.”
Patton Shearer’s resignation comes four days after the Mavs finished the season in 11th place with a 5-17 MIAA record, and 8-18 overall. That mark included an upset win of then – No. 6 Washburn, but also included a loss to last-place Lincoln University just one week later.
At UNO, Patton Shearer was 102-94 (.520). The previous seven seasons before her arrival, the Mavs were just 72-119 (.377).
“We deeply appreciate Patty’s leadership of the basketball program over the past seven years,” Josh White, UNO’s Associate Athletic Director for External Operations, said in Wednesday’s press release. “Patty took the program to a new level and deserves much of the credit.”
Taking over in 2004, the Mavs were coming off their worst season in school history. UNO’s 5-22 record, included 22 loses to Division II foes and an 0-14 conference record.
The Mavs went 14-4 her first season and 20-11 the following year – a school record. In 2008-09, the Mavs’ first season in the MIAA, Patton Shearer guided UNO to a 15-12 record, including an 11-9 conference mark – the Mavs’ first winning conference record since 1991-92.
“We respect Patty’s decision to make a change in her professional career at this time and know she will be successful no matter what she chooses to do,” White said.
