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Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College (NEO) Women’s Basketball Coach Jim Rowland has recently become the winningest women’s basketball coach in NEO history. Rowland has racked up a 305-89 record over the past fourteen seasons and the nationally ranked Lady Norse are currently on a four-year home winning streak. The team currently ranks number one in the region. When Jim Rowland steps on the court, history has shown that he has a 77% chance of winning a game and based on the last six seasons, there is nearly a 95% chance he will win at home.
Along with four straight conference titles, Rowland has led the NEO women to back-to-back Regional Championships. Capitalizing on the strengths of All-American players like Maria Delgado and DeVaugh Gray, Rowland builds well-rounded teams that excel in both defense and consistent shooting. “The NEO Athletic Department is very excited that Jim Rowland is now the Winningest Head Coach in NEO Women’s Basketball history,” said Dale Patterson, NEO Athletic Director. “Jim, his assistant coaches, and his players have worked very hard to achieve the milestone in women’s basketball at NEO. We are very proud of our Women’s Basketball program under Jim Rowlands leadership and the positive impact that it has had on our athletes, our community, and NEO A&M College.”
Rowland’s record surpasses the previous total set by Hall of Fame Coach Randy Gipson, who compiled a 290-75 record between 1988 and 1999. Rowland became the assistant coach of the women’s basketball team in 2002 under Coach Darin Grover and took the reins of the program in 2005. Along with producing nearly a dozen All-Americans, Rowland has coached 14 All-Region players and earned several Conference Coach of the Year Honors. During the 2016 season, Rowland was recognized as the National Coach of the Year for District B. Rowland is a graduate of Pawhuska High School. He attended Central State University, which later became The University of Central Oklahoma, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education/Recreation in 1992. In addition to being the head coach for the Lady Norse, Rowland is the director of housing for NEO A&M College. Rowland and his wife Tonya Rowland reside in Miami and have three children: Haiden, Tori, and Mason.
