WOU’s newest Women’s Hoops Coach comes from Salem… West Virginia
Jessica Peatross to coach Western Oregon after one season at Salem University
Western Oregon has a new women’s basketball coach—coming to Monmouth from Salem, West Virginia. Jessica Peatross, who guided the Salem University Tigers to a 13-17 record in her only season with the team—and a runner-up finish in the conference standings—has been named as just the eighth coach in the Western women’s basketball program history. She begins at WOU beginning July first.
Peatross’s single season at Salem University was preceded by a successful run as head coach at Delta College, a junior college in Michigan. She was named as head coach at the school after beginning as an assistant coach. In her first year at the helm, Peatross guided her team to the conference championship, and runner-up in regional play. Her second season had similar results, with a 21-8 record, a regional runner up finish, including a final four appearance in the Great Lakes East Regional of the NJCAA.
Peatross graduated from Holt High School in Lansing, Michigan, where she scored over 1,000 points in her career, while holding the school record for assists. Peatross twice received all-state honorable mention honors.
Peatross played three sports for Division I Chicago State University—earning a scholarship for golf, basketball and track. She was also a graduate assistant basketball coach at Valparaiso College (now University) in Indiana.
Western Oregon Executive Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Randi Lydum says their new coach’s passion and enthusiasm for coaching made an immediate connection with WOU athletic officials, and says she believes Peatross will continue to grow the school’s women’s hoops program.
Peatross succeeds Holli Howard-Carpenter, who has accepted a job with the WOU Foundation. Carpenter had coached the Wolves since 2013.