Tanya Warren’s History-Making Journey

Basketball Pioneer Still Winning and Still Winning

(St. Louis, MO) – Tanya Warren’s history-making journey is still on the rise. The trail-blazing Northern Iowa women’s basketball coach is winning games, graduating players and breaking records. After 16 seasons, the UNI head coach has led her teams to twelve postseason appearances, 306 wins and six, twenty-win seasons.

Warren is breaking barriers and breaking records. As the first African-American female to become a head coach (of any sport) at Northern Iowa and the first to coach basketball in the Missouri Valley Conference, she has accumulated the third most wins (306) in Valley history and is 14 victories away from claiming the second spot.

Southern Illinois’ Cindy Scott (353) is the all-time leader followed by Missouri State’s Cheryl Burnett (319). Warren is third in conference-only wins (193) and trails Scott by six and Burnett by eight.

After a stellar playing career at Creighton, she took some time away from the game and then returned to the college game as an assistant coach at Duchesne. Warren’s number (10) is among those retired at Creighton.

Warren is in some elite company and says she’s grateful for her long and fulfilling career.

 

 

Breaking the color barrier isn’t something she pursued, but it came to her to be something of a trail blazer. Warren realizes others paved the way for her and she is mindful of her unique and important role in relation to other players and coaches of color.

 

 

The three-time MVC Coach of the Year has a great relationship with UNI men’s coach Ben Jacobson. Since his Panther career is one year longer than hers the two have been side-by-side during her entire head coaching career.

Warren says she’s blessed to have such a friendly and cooperative relationship with ‘Jake’ and the two share a deep and mutual respect.

 

 

This Year’s Team

After finishing tied for second in last year’s league race the Panthers are poised to capture this year’s league title. UNI’s top three scorers return along with a host of players that have played heavy Missouri Valley minutes.

Tanya Warren’s history-making journey should see her become the winningest coach in Valley-only games and accumulate the second most wins in MVC history. The talent and experience on the Panther roster indicates that each of those accomplishments are well within reach.

Grace Boffeli, Maya McDermott and Emerson Green are double-digit scorers with versatile games. The 6’1 Boffeli (16.1 ppg & 9.2 rpg) can dominate in many ways. While she was an all-Valley selection, the 5’6 McDermott (14.7 ppg & 3.5 apg) was a second-teamer and runs the UNI offense.

The third of these star juniors is Emerson Green. A.J. Green’s little sister is a tenacious defender and like her big brother, can bury shots from long distance. Green (11.4 & .422 from deep) does a little bit of everything for the Panthers.

Warren says Boffeli is relentless

 

 

McDermott is obviously a distributor, but Warren says she can score in every way imaginable and ‘she just makes plays.’

 

 

Green, Kayba Laube (another junior) Rachel Heittola all display talents that create a balanced team. Warren wants her team to be able to play ‘positionless’ basketball and these players provide a wealth of versatility

 

 

One ‘under-the-radar’ newcomer is Iowa transfer Shateah Wetering. The Montezuma, Iowa native battled injuries during her Hawkeye career, but the 6’ post player could be difference maker in the UNI frontcourt.

 

 

What’s Ahead

Tanya Warren’s history-making journey will continue at UNI for some time. Earlier this month she signed a contract extension that will keep her in Cedar Falls through the 2028-29 season. This year’s schedule includes some great challenges. Along with the typically demanding Missouri Valley Conference schedule, the Panthers play Iowa, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Creighton and Iowa State.

UNI administrators expect Iowa’s visit to be sold out when the national runners-up and national Player of the Year Caitlin Clark visit the McLeod Center.

Six of last season’s twelve Valley’s teams participated in postseason play. Warren says the level of coaching is greatly improved during her tenure. She says there are no more ‘gimme’ games in the MVC. Last season’s Jackie Stiles, ‘Player of the Year’ winner, Illinois State’s Paige Robinson was a WNBA third round draft pick.

To listen to our full interview with coach Warren head to Valley Hoops Insider Podcast.

Do Good

 

Editor: Cover photo courtesy of unipanthers.com.