UIndy Taps Ross James as New Women's Basketball Head Coach

The University of Indianapolis hires experienced program builder to lead Greyhounds women's basketball.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 2:19am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in navy blue, gold, and white, capturing the dynamic energy and movement of a women's basketball game.The University of Indianapolis' new women's basketball coach brings a fresh, innovative approach to elevating the program.Indianapolis Today

The University of Indianapolis has announced the hiring of Ross James as the new head coach of the women's basketball program. James comes to UIndy after a successful two-year stint as the head coach at NAIA school The University of Tennessee Southern, where he led the Firehawks to a historic season and the program's first-ever NAIA National Championship victory.

Why it matters

The UIndy women's basketball team is looking to build on its recent success and take the next step as a consistent winner in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. The hiring of James, an experienced program builder with a track record of elevating teams at the Division III and NAIA levels, signals the university's commitment to investing in the women's basketball program and positioning it for long-term success.

The details

James spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at NAIA Tennessee Southern, guiding the Firehawks to a 23-7 record in 2025-26 and the program's first-ever appearance in the NAIA National Championship. Prior to that, he served as the head coach at NCAA Division III Mary Baldwin University, where he turned around the Fighting Squirrels program and set over 30 program records. James also has experience as an assistant coach at the Division I level, with one-year stints at Sacred Heart, Utah State, and Fordham.

  • On April 8, 2026, the University of Indianapolis announced the hiring of Ross James as the new head coach of the women's basketball program.
  • James spent the previous two seasons as the head coach at NAIA Tennessee Southern, leading the Firehawks to a historic 23-7 season in 2025-26.

The players

Ross James

The new head coach of the University of Indianapolis women's basketball program, with a wealth of experience across multiple levels of college basketball, including successful stints as a head coach at the NAIA and Division III levels.

Kim Pate

The Director of Intercollegiate Athletics at the University of Indianapolis, who led the search and hiring process for the new women's basketball head coach.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I'm incredibly thankful, honored, and humbled to be named the Head Coach at UIndy. A sincere thank you to Kim Pate and the entire hiring committee for their belief and trust in me. This opportunity truly means so much.”

— Ross James, Head Coach, University of Indianapolis Women's Basketball

“We are thrilled to welcome Ross James to our Greyhound family and to lead our women's basketball program into a new era. He is a proven program builder who understands what it takes to establish and sustain a winning culture.”

— Kim Pate, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Indianapolis

What’s next

James will begin his tenure as the new head coach of the UIndy women's basketball program immediately, with the goal of continuing to build on the team's recent success and positioning the Greyhounds as a consistent contender in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

The takeaway

The hiring of Ross James as the new head coach of the UIndy women's basketball program signals the university's commitment to investing in the program and building a winning culture. James' proven track record of elevating programs at the NAIA and Division III levels, as well as his experience as a Division I assistant, make him an ideal candidate to lead the Greyhounds to new heights.