Keisha Newell takes charge of Oakland University women's basketball team

In March 2025, Oakland University made a significant decision in their women's basketball program by hiring Keisha Newell as the new head coach. Newell's appointment comes after a period of transition for the team, which saw Deanna Richard serving as the interim head coach following Jeff Tungate's unexpected retirement on December 9, 2024. Tungate had led the program for 12 years but was sidelined for a major part of the 2023-24 season due to health issues, specifically a back procedure. During Tungate's time, the team struggled in the past season, finishing with a disappointing 9-22 record and exiting in the quarterfinals of the Horizon League Tournament. In contrast, Keisha Newell enjoyed considerable success at Lewis University, a Division II institution, where she achieved three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Her final season at Lewis concluded with a strong 26-4 record, although they were eliminated in the first round by Wayne State. Before her tenure at Lewis, Newell spent four seasons at Roosevelt University when it was an NAIA school, and gained experience as an assistant coach at Loyola-Chicago, working at the Division I level from 2011 to 2014. This background had set the stage for her capabilities, which Oakland believes will reinvigorate their women's basketball program. The university is hoping Newell's recruiting ability and coaching philosophy will lead to a turnaround in fortunes, reflecting her previous successful coaching record. The hiring of Newell symbolizes a new direction and optimism for Oakland's women's basketball program, which has faced challenges in recent seasons. The decision seems to be a strategic move aimed at rebuilding the team's competitive stature in the Horizon League, raising anticipation among the players, the program’s fans, and the university community as they look for tangible improvements in the upcoming seasons.