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Jan Ross is entering her 17th season as an assistant coach on the Oklahoma basketball staff. Ross has played an instrumental part in rebuilding the Oklahoma program. She has helped head coach Sherri Coale turn the Oklahoma women's basketball program into a nationally recognized name.
Since Ross' arrival, the Sooners have won six Big 12 Conference regular season titles, four Big 12 Postseason Championships, produced ten 20-plus win seasons and advanced to 12 consecutive NCAA Tournaments. Ross also helped OU to the 2002 National Championship game and back-to-back national semifinals in 2009 and 2010.
Ross has been extremely active in all phases of Oklahoma's emergence into the national spotlight. Ross' area of emphasis includes coaching OU's frontcourt, recruiting and scouting opponents. Not only is her expertise with post players essential, but Ross is a mastermind when it comes down to the Xs and Os of the game. She is also one of the top recruiters in the game. Ross' recruiting efforts have ensured that the Sooners will remain one of the top women's basketball programs in the country.
In addition to the Sooners' team accomplishments with Ross on the sideline, OU post players have flourished individually. She has helped Phylesha Whaley, Courtney Paris and Caton Hill develop into three of the top post players in the country. All three players are among the best in Oklahoma history and the records books illustrate it.
In past seasons, Ross monitored the academic progress of each student-athlete. As a team, the Sooners have posted a team GPA of 3.0 or better for 26 of the 32 semesters she has been at OU and have had four student-athletes earn Academic All-America first team honors under Ross' watch. Oklahoma has produced 87 Academic All-Big 12 selections in 16 seasons.
As a player at Oklahoma Christian, she collected numerous playing and academic honors including NAIA honorable mention All-America, All-District IV and All-Sooner Athletic Conference selection as a senior. She also was an NAIA Scholar Athlete and was elected to Who's Who. An all-state athlete at Putnam City West, Ross ranks 11th on Oklahoma Christian's career scoring list with 1,348 points. She holds the school record for career steals (300) and completed her career with a .537 field goal percentage and 494 assists.
After ending her collegiate career with Oklahoma Christian, Ross joined the program as an assistant coach for five years and served as assistant athletics director for two years. This Oklahoman was inducted into her alma mater's Athletic Hall of Fame in February 2003.
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| The Ross File |
| Hometown |
Chickasha, Okla. |
| High School |
Putnam City West |
| College |
Oklahoma Christian, 1986 |
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| Coaching History |
| 1996-present, Oklahoma Assistant Coach |
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| Playing Experience |
| 1983-1986, Oklahoma Christian University |
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| Playing Honors |
| NAIA honorable mention All-America, All-District IV and All-Sooner Athletic Conference as a senior |
| NAIA Scholar Athlete |
| Holds the OCU school record for career steals (300) and ranks 11th on the career scoring list with 1,348 points |
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| NCAA Tournaments Coached |
| 2000 - Sweet 16 |
Oklahoma |
| 2001 - Sweet 16 |
Oklahoma |
| 2002 - Final Four |
Oklahoma |
| 2003 - 1st Round |
Oklahoma |
| 2004 - 2nd Round |
Oklahoma |
| 2005 - 1st Round |
Oklahoma |
| 2006 - Sweet 16 |
Oklahoma |
| 2007 - Sweet 16 |
Oklahoma |
| 2008 - 2nd Round |
Oklahoma |
| 2009 - Final Four |
Oklahoma |
| 2010 - Final Four |
Oklahoma |
| 2011 - Sweet 16 |
Oklahoma |
| 2012 - 2nd Round |
Oklahoma |
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| Prominent Pupils |
| LaNeisha Caufield |
Utah Starzz |
| Stacey Dales |
Chicago Sky |
| Dionnah Jackson |
Sacramento Monarchs |
| Abi Olajuwon |
Chicago Sky |
| Ashley Paris |
Los Angeles Sparks |
| Courtney Paris |
Sacramento Monarchs |
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Rosalind Ross
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Los Angeles Sparks |
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Leah Rush
|
Pheonix Mercury |
| Nyeshia Stevenson |
Phoenix Mercury |
| Amanda Thompson |
Tulsa Shock |
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Maria Villaroel
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Phoenix Mercury |
| Phylesha Whaley |
Minnesota Lynx
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Ross also gained coaching experience at Broken Arrow (1995-96) and Del City high schools (1991-95) as the head coach. The Chickasha, Okla. native received her bachelor's degree in mathematics with a minor in physical education from Oklahoma Christian University (1986) and her master's degree in sports administration from the University of Oklahoma (1990). |