Terry Nooner was named the 10th head women's basketball coach on April 17, 2023.
“To say this is a dream come true is an understatement,” Nooner said. “As someone who played in Kansas, met my wife here and have raised my children here, I couldn’t be happier to land my first head coaching position in the state I love so much. My family and I are incredibly excited to join Shocker Nation and make Wichita our home for years to come. I can’t thank Kevin Saal and Dr. Muma enough for their belief and support, and I’m ready to build something special with our women’s basketball program.”
Nooner has a decade’s worth of coaching experience at the Division I level, most recently as an associate head coach at the University of Kansas. Nooner was an integral part of Kansas’ recent run to the 2023 WNIT title.
It's no coincidence that the last two NCAA Tournament appearances for Kansas have come with Nooner on staff.
In addition to his time at Kansas, he has coached at Texas, Maryland, Alabama and Southern Illinois along with one season as a player development coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
His third season at Kansas marked his second stint as an assistant at Kansas after spending the 2012-13 campaign with the Jayhawks. In his return to Kansas, Nooner assisted head coach Brandon Schneider – the 2022 Big 12 Coach of the Year – during the Jayhawks breakthrough campaign in 2021-22. The Jayhawks finished the season with a record of 21-10, marking the program’s first 20-win season since 2010-11, and the Jayhawks had 20 wins during the regular season for the first time since 1999-2000. Kansas capped off the season with a berth in the 2022 NCAA Tournament, where KU earned the No. 8 seed in the Spokane Regional.
“Terry Nooner is a highly respected leader with a proven track record of success,” Saal said. “As a result of his impressive journey, Terry is incredibly well-connected within our region and nationally. We are excited to welcome Terry, his wife Tracy and the Nooner family into the Shocker family.”
Nooner was a big reason for the emergence of Kansas post player Taiyanna Jackson over the past two seasons. Jackson burst onto the scene as a junior college transfer, leading the Big 12 and ranking fourth in the Big 12 with a single-season school record 95 blocked shots. For her efforts, Jackson became the first Jayhawk in program history to be selected to the Big 12 All-Defensive Team.
Before returning to Lawrence, Nooner spent the 2019-20 season as an assistant coach at Texas, working heavily with players at the post position. He coached a pair of All-Big 12 selections and one WNBA draft pick while on the Forty Acres and UT earned three wins against Top 25 opponents that season.
Nooner joined the Longhorns from the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, where he spent the 2018-19 season as Player Development Coach.
Prior to his time with the Cavaliers, Nooner served three seasons as an assistant coach for the University of Maryland women’s basketball team. He helped the Terrapins to a record of 89-14 [.864], including a 43-7 [.860] mark in Big Ten Conference play. During his stint in College Park, Maryland won back-to-back Big Ten regular season and tournament titles and earned three NCAA Tournament berths. While at Maryland, Nooner helped recruit the nation’s No. 1 class in 2016 and the fourth-ranked class in 2018.
Nooner was an assistant coach at the University of Alabama for two seasons from 2013-15. In his first season in Tuscaloosa, the Crimson Tide won 14 games, playing one of the most difficult schedules in the nation. Seven of those victories came in Southeastern Conference play, which were the most league wins for the Tide in more than 12 years.
Nooner spent one season at his alma mater, the University of Kansas, as an assistant coach with the women’s basketball team. He helped the Jayhawks to one of their most successful seasons, as Kansas finished with 20 wins in 2012-13. Kansas advanced to the fourth NCAA Sweet 16 in program history.
Nooner began his collegiate coaching career as an assistant coach at Southern Illinois in 2011-12. During that season, he worked with Cartaesha Macklin, who was named Missouri Valley Conference Freshman of the Year.
Nooner, a Raytown, Mo., native, was a former guard and team captain for the University of Kansas from 1997-2000. He helped the Jayhawks to a Sweet Sixteen, four NCAA Tournament appearances and three Big 12 Championships.
He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in African-American Studies from the University of Kansas in 2000. In 2002, he earned his Master’s degree in Sport Administration from Kansas.
Nooner and his wife Tracy have three children.
What Others Are Saying About Terry Nooner:
"Terry Nooner is an incredible coach who brings out the best in student-athletes. His level of integrity, experience and connections in basketball recruiting and coaching make him an awesome leader for WSU."
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Nicole Corcoran, Kansas Deputy AD/SWA
"Wichita State has made a high level hire. Terry is an awesome coach and an amazing person. Terry has an infectious personality and people are drawn to him. If he ever had a bad day, you would never know it. He’s had every background in college basketball as a player and coach that you could possibly want. Terry has a tremendous network and is so easy to like. I am so proud of Terry and happy for Tracy and the Nooner kiddos."
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Missy Tiber, North Alabama Head Coach
"Home run hire! Terry Nooner is the perfect choice to lead the Wichita State Women’s Basketball program. Terry has built connections across the country in recruiting and will lean in on the those relationships to build something really special at Wichita State. The current players will love being coached by Terry. He has a passion for young people and the part he will play in their maturation through their college experience. Terry is a winner on and off the court."
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Bonnie Henrickson, UC Santa Barbara Head Coach
"Terry Nooner is one of the finest people I have ever crossed paths with in coaching and is an incredible hire for Wichita State! He has a great knowledge of the game, a tremendous work ethic and a passion for people that's really special. He is a star in our business and will not only be successful as a head coach, but will be a great addition the University and Wichita community. I am thrilled for Terry, Tracy and their family!"
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Kristy Curry, Alabama Head Coach
"Hiring Terry Nooner is Fantastic! This is a home run for Wichita State Women’s Basketball and will go down as a great day for the program. He is an over-achiever if I have ever seen one. I look forward to seeing him coach and congratulations to everyone!
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Roy Williams, Hall of Fame Head Coach at Kansas and North Carolina
“What a tremendous hire for Wichita State. You couldn’t have found a better leader, person, family man and coach. Terry will make an impact immediately. He cares and understands people and will take Wichita State to new heights. What an exciting day!”
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Brenda Frese, Maryland Head Coach
“I’m so excited for Terry and his family in this tremendous opportunity. Terry is a hard worker and terrific basketball coach, but more importantly he is a great leader and family man. He will create and build a culture that will grow young women into future leaders on and off the court.”
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Colleen Sorem, Maryland Deputy Athletic Director
“Wichita State is blessed to have hired Terry Nooner. In my time working with him, I found that not only was he a great coach and mentor to young women, but also one for myself. He is a positive leader who will impact Wichita State women’s basketball greatly. I am so happy for Terry, Tracy and the family. Welcome to the American!”
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Karen Aston, UTSA Head Coach
The Nooner File
Hometown:
Raytown, Mo.
Education:
Undergrad: Kansas ‘00
Masters: Kansas ‘02
Family:
Wife: Tracy
Children: Tarynn, Tatum and Terry III.
Coaching Experience:
2020-23, Kansas (Associate Head Coach/Assistant Coach)
2019-20, Texas (Assistant Coach)
2018-19, Cleveland Cavaliers (Player Development Coach)
2015-18, Maryland (Assistant Coach)
2013-15, Alabama (Assistant Coach)
2012-13, Kansas (Assistant Coach)
2011-12, Southern Illinois (Assistant Coach)
Playing Experience:
Kansas: 1997-00
