Bowling Green State University women's basketball head coach Jennifer Roos shouts instructions during a game a year ago.
BLADE
BOWLING GREEN — Bowling Green State University fired women’s basketball coach Jennifer Roos, the school announced Thursday.
The Falcons just finished the season with an 11-19 record that included a 3-15 mark in Mid-American Conference play, placing BG 11th in the 12-team league. That marked the fourth consecutive losing season for the Falcons under Roos, who posted a six-year record of 92-97.
Roos still had one year on her contract, which was extended during the 2014-15 season, and will be paid the remaining $205,000 on that contract.
“I want to thank coach Roos for the 17 years she has given to our women’s basketball program,” BG athletics director Bob Moosbrugger said in a release. “She was a part of tremendous success within the program, and we wish her the best in her future endeavors.”
VIDEO: Roos will not return as BGSU coach
Roos has been involved with women’s basketball team the past 17 seasons, having first joined the staff of previous coach Curt Miller as an assistant in 2001-02. When Miller left for Indiana, Roos was promoted to the top job.
In her first season, Roos led the Falcons to a 24-11 mark and an 11-5 record in MAC play. That team advanced to the third round of the WNIT before losing to eventual tournament champion Drexel.
In 2013-14 the Falcons posted a 30-5 record under Roos, including a 17-1 league mark that gave them a regular-season title. In that season BG defeated Michigan twice and Ohio State before losing in a WNIT quarterfinal to Rutgers, who won the tourney that year. Roos was named MAC coach of the year and WBCA region coach of the year after that season.
But the four seasons that followed were lean ones. This year’s 11 victories were the most for one season in that period as the Falcons compiled a 38-81 record (.319 winning percentage) and were 15-57 in MAC games (.208 winning percentage).
The Falcons had only two seniors on this year’s 14-player roster, and they will add Memphis transfer Alyssa Dean as well as three signees from the November signing period. Four of the returnees are starters from this past season.
“I am deeply invested in the BG community & have given all I could to the University bc it has been more than just a job,” Roos said on Twitter after the announcement. “For the past 17 yrs, BGSU has afforded me countless opportunities to support student-athletes as they grow on & off the court.
“I take great pride in contributing to the success of so many outstanding servant leaders. The people have always been the best part of BGSU & the city of BG. From the talented student-athletes, to the dedicated staff, from the passionate fans to the highly engaged alumnae, there are countless individuals to thank. It has been an HONOR!”
As for the rest of the staff, assistant coaches Jacey Brooks, Nick Moore, and Jessie Ivey remain employed by the university. The school did not name an interim coach.
Moosbrugger said the search for a new head coach will begin immediately.
“BGSU strives for excellence in all we do, whether in academics or athletics,” he said. “Our women’s basketball program has been a source of pride for our alumni and fans.
“We are committed to success in the classroom and on the court.”
Contact John Wagner at: jwagner@theblade.com, 419-724-6481, or on Twitter @jwagnerblade.