NSU tabs Brooke and Scott Stoehr as the program's new co-head coaches

Their appointment is subject to approval by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors.  They replace Jennifer Graf who resigned as head coach last month.

Brooke was an outstanding point guard from 1998-2002 under legendary coach Leon Barmore.

She has spent the last three years as an assistant coach at Texas Tech and recently helped guide the Lady Raiders to a third round appearance in the Women's National Invitational Tournament.  Prior to Texas Tech, she spent a season on the staff at Southern Mississippi and three years on the staff at her alma mater, Louisiana Tech following a stay at Arkansas-Little Rock.

The 31-year old was a standout player at Hamburg (Ark.) High School and played collegiately at Louisiana Tech from 1998-2002 where she served as a two-year captain and starting point guard as a junior and senior, while leading the Lady Techsters to an impressive 119-16 mark. She was instrumental in leading Louisiana Tech to four NCAA Championship appearances, including the Final Four in 1999 and two more Elite Eight appearances.

During her playing days, Louisiana Tech won four regular-season conference titles and conference tournament crowns, while only losing one conference game. The 2001 All-Sun Belt Conference selection ended her career ranked as the NCAA Division I all-time career free throw percentage leader at 91.5 percent, hitting 268-of-292 attempts. As a senior, Stoehr was named an NCAA post-graduate scholarship finalist, WAC All-Academic, NCAA Woman of the Year nominee, Verizon Academic All-District VI and National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American.

In High School, she was named to the Parade All-American team and was the Arkansas and Southwest Region Gatorade Player of the Year.

Scott, who received his degree in biology from Nebraska Wesleyan in 1997 and his master's degree in kinesiology from North Texas in 1999, began his coaching career at Nebraska Wesleyan University and followed that with stints at North Texas, Florida State, Arkansas-Little Rock and Louisiana Tech before leaving the college ranks for high school in 2008.

"It is with a high level of confidence and enthusiasm that I hand over the reins of the Lady Demon basketball program to Brooke and Scott Stoehr," said Burke.  "They possess a wealth of coaching experience and are very well-connected and respected in the Division I women's basketball community.  In addition, they are very familiar with the recruiting landscape in this region based on their previous coaching stops and, in particular, are committed to pursuing the best players in our home state."

"I'm really excited, thankful and humbled for the opportunity to get to work with some great people at NSU," said Brooke.  "And then to be able to work alongside Coach (Mike) McConathy (the Demons' coach the last 13 seasons), it's just a very exciting time for us."

Said NSU President Dr. Randall Webb:  "I'm very excited about this addition to the Northwestern State University family. We know that Brooke and Scott have precisely what it takes to get the job done, from her storied playing career at Louisiana Tech under the incomparable Leon Barmore, and from the Stoehr's contributions to some outstanding programs in their coaching careers. I am convinced we are going to enjoy outstanding recruiting, a well-disciplined program with a strong defense, a lively offense and great success. For those reasons and many more, I can't wait for Lady Demon basketball to begin next season with Brooke and Scott in charge."

The Stoehrs met when Scott was an assistant at Florida State and Brooke a graduate assistant.

"It's something that when we first met, he as an assistant and me a grad assistant, we knew there would have to be some sacrifices made," said Brooke.  "And he's (Scott) made those sacrifices for me the last few years.  It's going to be great to take this journey together and work side-by-side with him to put the program back on top."

"I am so incredibly proud and excited for Brooke and Scott to have this opportunity as co-head coaches at Northwestern State," said Texas Tech Lady Raider head coach Kristy Curry, whose father and grandfather are NSU graduates.  "There is no greater feeling as a head coach than to see your assistants go on to be head coaches. I had the opportunity to recruit Brooke at Louisiana Tech, watch her play as a student-athlete, and be able to have her along my side as an assistant coach at Texas Tech for the last three seasons. I know Northwestern State is getting a family of winners in every aspect of what you should be about personally and professionally. These are great hires for a tradition-rich program and they will make everyone associated with Northwestern State proud."

"Brooke was a perfect addition to Kristy's (Curry) staff," said Dr. Judi Henry, Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator at Texas Tech.  "She is an administrator's dream in terms of communicating and handling business.  She is mature beyond her years and exercises good judgment.  Kristy has included Brooke in every aspect of the Lady Raider program so Brooke is definitely ready to take this next step."

At Southern Mississippi, Brooke worked primarily with the perimeter players. Her responsibilities also included recruiting, scouting opponents, film breakdown and assisting with all aspects of the Lady Eagle basketball camps.

Prior to her stint at Southern Miss, she spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Louisiana Tech, where her primary duties included serving as the academic counselor, recruiting with an emphasis in Arkansas and Louisiana, scouting reports, guard development, summer camps and overseeing the Lady Techster weight and conditioning program.

While at Louisiana Tech, Stoehr was instrumental in development of the guards, which included three All-Western Athletic Conference selections and a WAC Player of the Year. She also helped Louisiana Tech claim back-to-back WAC regular-season titles as well as the program's 25th-straight NCAA Championship appearance.

She graduated from Tech in 2002 with a degree in business administration and obtained her master's degree in sports administration from Florida State in 2004

"She was a player similar to Kim Mulkey in that she was highly intelligent and saw two to three plays ahead," said College Basketball Hall of Famer Leon Barmore.  "From the git-go, I knew she would be a smart point guard and when she decided to go into coaching, I knew she would be an outstanding coach.  She is prepared, she is ready, and she is dedicated to the game.  She will be dedicated to the University and will be a good asset to the community.  When she goes into the home of a recruit, she will make a positive impression because she will be honest and open.  She has the qualities you look for in a young coach.  I look forward to coming down to Natchitoches to watch her team play."

Brooke spent her first two years as a full-time coach at Arkansas-Little Rock where she assisted with coaching guards, helped with recruiting, supervised preseason individual conditioning workouts and aided in summer basketball camps.

She also served as a graduate assistant at Florida State prior to her job at UALR.

In his first position as a Division I coach, Scott helped guide North Texas to its most successful time in school history, including three conference division championships, two postseason tournaments and a 43-4 home record over a four year period.

"Northwestern State has made an excellent choice in the hiring of Brooke and Scott Stoehr," said North Texas assistant coach and Lady Demon letterwinner Angela Ortega.  "I had the privilege of working with Scott for six years at the University of North Texas.  He is a tremendous teacher, motivator, and workhorse.  What he brings to the table would be an asset to any program.

"Brooke has been groomed by some of the best coaches in the business," said Ortega who played at NSU from 1987-89.  "She is ready for this opportunity in every way.  Her desire to embrace the past, present and future will be instrumental in her success and I am personally excited to see the Lady Demons flourish under her leadership."

Scott was the position coach for the 2002 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year and the league's Defensive Player of the Year and was responsible for recruiting regions in Oklahoma and Arkansas.

At Florida State, he generated and implemented offensive and defensive game plans, coached the guards which included an All-ACC player, and assisted the team to its second highest win total and its second postseason tournament berth in school history as a member of the ACC.

He followed that with a stint at Arkansas-Little Rock where he helped recruit the 2005 Sun Belt Conference's Freshman of the Year, and spent three seasons at Louisiana Tech where he assisted the Lady Techsters in making the NCAA Tournament and Top 25 appearances.

"The initial reaction from everyone with whom I talked about Brooke and Scott referenced the fact that they are quality people," said Burke.  "That is always a starting point when hiring coaches.  Furthermore, they will be very driven to win games while also remaining focused on other components - most notably academic achievement and citizenship - that are essential to having an all-around successful program.  Their approach will be well-received among the Lady Demon basketball alumni base and I know they will be reaching out to that group in the near future, as well."

The couple has a two-year-old daughter, Aubrey, with another child due June.

Burke said there will be a  "meet the coach" reception later this month.