Northwestern University Athletics
Coaches Corner: Shauna Green
10/8/2015 1:50:00 PM | General, Women's Basketball
Northwestern women's basketball head coach Joe McKeown announced the addition of Shauna Green to his coaching staff this summer. Find out what attracted Coach Green to Northwestern and what she loves about coaching in this week's edition of "Coaches Corner."
NUSports.com: How did you get in to coaching?
Shauna Green: It has been a long journey. I am from Iowa originally and I played [basketball] at Canisius College. After college, I was set to play overseas – had a contract signed – and I ended up hurting my foot and that pushed me in to coaching a little bit faster. I started coaching at Loras College in Iowa not too far from here. I was there for five years, three as an assistant and two as a head coach. From there I spent five years as a coach at Providence and then coached at Dayton for the last three years. Last year was one of those years that you always dream of. Dayton made the Elite 8 last year - it was an unbelievable experience and I learned so much.
NU: What attracted you to Northwestern?
SG: First, the progress of what coach McKeown has done here. He has really built this program from the ground up and the type of student athletes he has done it with is so important to me. We can do so much more here, and build off of everything the team accomplished last year. I truly believe this program can get to that point and that is why I came here.
NU: Do your kids like basketball?
SG: I have one son – he is almost 14 months old. Of course, his favorite work is "ball," and that is literally all he says. This was my dream come true, but it getting to the point where it is almost too much. He will wake up in the morning and the first thing he says is, "ball." We have a little hoop for him and he is always shooting around.
NU: Does he come to all your games?
SG: Oh yeah. He was born in August, and two weeks after he was born he was there at 6 a.m., workouts sleeping on the sidelines. He came to almost every game last year when I was at Dayton. He is going to love basketball or hate it.
NU: What is your favorite part of the Chicagoland Area?
SG: I love this area. Growing up just two hours from here, we came in to Chicago all the time. I love going downtown, but my favorite thing is the lake. I love the beaches and going for a run or a walk along the lake. There is so much to do in this city. My family still lives near, so it is nice that my parents can come in.
NU: Are you a Cubs fan?
SG: Yes! This wildcard game is something I have waited for my whole life!
NU: When you are not coaching basketball, what kind of things do you like to do off the court?
SG: That doesn't happen very often. If you asked me this two years ago, it would be a different answer, but now when I have free time it is obviously spent with my son. I don't get that much of it and it is hard during season to be away from him. If I have my own personal time – which never happens – I enjoy working out and having that 'me' time. But I love being with my family.
NU: What is your favorite thing about coaching?
SG: Definitely seeing the growth of the student-athletes I coach. Seeing them come in as freshmen and develop as players and grow as individuals. It is the best part to be able to see them have so much success. It makes the long hours and time away from your family totally worth it.
NUSports.com: How did you get in to coaching?
Shauna Green: It has been a long journey. I am from Iowa originally and I played [basketball] at Canisius College. After college, I was set to play overseas – had a contract signed – and I ended up hurting my foot and that pushed me in to coaching a little bit faster. I started coaching at Loras College in Iowa not too far from here. I was there for five years, three as an assistant and two as a head coach. From there I spent five years as a coach at Providence and then coached at Dayton for the last three years. Last year was one of those years that you always dream of. Dayton made the Elite 8 last year - it was an unbelievable experience and I learned so much.
NU: What attracted you to Northwestern?
SG: First, the progress of what coach McKeown has done here. He has really built this program from the ground up and the type of student athletes he has done it with is so important to me. We can do so much more here, and build off of everything the team accomplished last year. I truly believe this program can get to that point and that is why I came here.
NU: Do your kids like basketball?
SG: I have one son – he is almost 14 months old. Of course, his favorite work is "ball," and that is literally all he says. This was my dream come true, but it getting to the point where it is almost too much. He will wake up in the morning and the first thing he says is, "ball." We have a little hoop for him and he is always shooting around.
NU: Does he come to all your games?
SG: Oh yeah. He was born in August, and two weeks after he was born he was there at 6 a.m., workouts sleeping on the sidelines. He came to almost every game last year when I was at Dayton. He is going to love basketball or hate it.
NU: What is your favorite part of the Chicagoland Area?
SG: I love this area. Growing up just two hours from here, we came in to Chicago all the time. I love going downtown, but my favorite thing is the lake. I love the beaches and going for a run or a walk along the lake. There is so much to do in this city. My family still lives near, so it is nice that my parents can come in.
NU: Are you a Cubs fan?
SG: Yes! This wildcard game is something I have waited for my whole life!
NU: When you are not coaching basketball, what kind of things do you like to do off the court?
SG: That doesn't happen very often. If you asked me this two years ago, it would be a different answer, but now when I have free time it is obviously spent with my son. I don't get that much of it and it is hard during season to be away from him. If I have my own personal time – which never happens – I enjoy working out and having that 'me' time. But I love being with my family.
NU: What is your favorite thing about coaching?
SG: Definitely seeing the growth of the student-athletes I coach. Seeing them come in as freshmen and develop as players and grow as individuals. It is the best part to be able to see them have so much success. It makes the long hours and time away from your family totally worth it.
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