LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell Women’s Basketball Head Coach Denise King announced two additions to its staff. John Owens joins as an assistant coach and Marcus Young takes on the role of director of basketball operations.
John Owens joins the coaching staff with extensive experience in all facets of the sport. He served as the head boys’ basketball coach at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia for four years, where he led the team to its first championship since 2004 during the 2021-22 season and three consecutive seasons. He coached two players from all conferences, the first players to receive the honor in five seasons. Owens is involved off the court as well as co-creator and member of the Penn Charter Athletic Leadership Committee. Owens also served as Director of Basketball Operations for Philly Triple Threat, where he supported the coaching staff with game planning, team structuring and overall development.
“First of all, I offer extreme gratitude to Coach Denise King for allowing me to be a part of the UMass Lowell women’s basketball program,” Owens said. “During the interview process, I felt we shared the same values with our family approach, competitive nature and our attention to detail. I really feel like she’s a rising star in college basketball, and our team is lucky to have her as our leader. The young women welcomed me with open arms, which is a great feeling when adjusting to a new environment. I believe our team is hungry and ready to compete. We have a lot to prove, and the first stage starts on November 7.”
Prior to joining Philly Triple Threat and Penn Charter, he was Associate Head Coach at Abington Friends School, where he led the team to a Friends League Championship in 2012-13. Owens was also responsible for recruiting three professional players and 11 student athletes who played in the NCAA. He was also a 2017 Quaker Cup champion and the current founder of the Educated Basketball Camp.
From 2008 to 2012, he was an assistant coach at the University of California, Pennsylvania, where he held many responsibilities such as offensive play calls, organizing movie sessions, and helping with student academic progress. -athletes. He helped the team win the PSAC Championship in 2008 and was honored as the PSAC Coaching Staff of the Year that season. The team also made an appearance in the Division II Final Four that season.
Owens played two seasons of college basketball at Bloomsburg University before moving to the University of California at Pennsylvania for two seasons. The four-year-old starter and three-year-old captain was named University of California California Most Valuable Player in 2007 and scored 1,000 points. He also led the league in assists and steals twice.
“We are happy to welcome John to our River Hawk family,” the head coach said. Denise King. “John is a proven winner as a player and a coach; his IQ for the game, his ability to develop and connect with our players on and off the pitch will be a huge asset to our program. He has taken over and his presence has already had an impact on our programme.”
Owens earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from California University of Pennsylvania in 2007 and completed his master’s degree in psychology in 2009.
Marcus Young is also joining the team as the new director of basketball operations ahead of the 2022-23 season. Prior to joining the River Hawks, Young served as director of basketball operations for the Texas Southern University women’s basketball team for two years. He spent several years working in the corporate field before joining Texas Southern.
“I’m very excited to join this program and become a River Hawk,” Young said. “Coach King and the rest of the staff made my transition from Texas very smooth. There’s an overall quality culture here and the girls are great to work with. This season will be exciting as we go for a conference championship.”
Prior to working with the Tigers, Young served as director of basketball operations for the Prairie View A&M University women’s basketball team from 2007-2009. SWAC regular season, participating in the 2008 WNIT tournament and the 2009 NCAA tournament.
Young has plenty of work experience at the college level and has also built a professional resume. In 2009, he played professional basketball for the Houston Blaze and was a men’s practice player for the San Antonio Stars of the WNBA. In 2008, he served as a camp staffer for the U.S. Women’s National Under-18 Basketball Team and was a men’s practice player for the WNBA’s Houston Comets. Young was also a volunteer coach for the San Antonio Holmes High School boys’ basketball team.
“Marcus will bring a southern flair to our family,” King added. “His previous experience as a DOBO will help keep our program running smoothly and help prepare our student-athletes for life after basketball.”
A native of San Antonio, Texas, Young played college football at the University of Arkansas-Monticello before transferring to Prairie View A&M University, where he graduated in 2005.
