From Arkansas Communications
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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has hired Kelsi Musick to be the 10th head coach of the Razorbacks’ women’s basketball program.
Musick has signed a five-year contract to be the Hogs’ head coach that runs through April 30, 2030 with a total compensation of $600,000 per year.
Musick comes to Arkansas after a successful three-year stint at Oral Roberts, where she led the Golden Eagles to postseason appearances in each of the last two seasons while increasing the team’s win total every year. ORU wrapped up their season last night in the first round of the WBIT to finish the year 24-9 and give the Golden Eagles consecutive 20-win seasons for the first time since 2009-12. She built the program each of her three seasons, winning 12 games in the first season, 21 wins in the second and 24 this past season – the most for the Golden Eagles in a single season since Debbie Yow won 26 games in 1982-83. Along the way, her teams were no stranger in taking down opponents from bigger conferences with a pair of wins against Southeastern Conference teams this past season to go with four total wins over teams from the American Athletic Conference over the last two years.
Known for her fast-paced, dribble-drive offense, Musick quickly turned around Oral Roberts. Her Golden Eagles have finished in the Top 20 nationally in points per game each of her three seasons – scoring 78.1 points per game in her first season to finish 16th, 81.8 points per game last season to finish eighth and averaged 83.2 points per game during the regular season to rank eighth nationally entering postseason play. Musick has also attracted elite talent, coaching 2023-24 Summit League Freshman of the Year Emily Robinson and Newcomer of the Year Taleyah Jones and reigning two-time Sixth Woman of the Year Jalei Oglesby. Jones and Oglesby were both named to the All-Summit League First Team this season after the duo led the Golden Eagles in points per game with Jones scoring 18.1 and Oglesby 17.3, respectively.
“As I spoke to Kelsi and people associated with her, I was impressed by her work ethic, enthusiasm and her ability to maximize resources in building winning programs at each of her coaching stops,” Director of Athletics and Vice Chancellor Hunter Yurachek said. “She has proven to be a great relationship builder and communicator throughout her career to the benefit of her teams and student-athletes on and off the court. Having grown up and coached in Oklahoma, she has a familiarity with our area that will help her quickly connect with our state and fan base.
“Kelsi is a rising star in the women’s basketball coaching profession. I believe the University of Arkansas is the best place for her to develop her full potential as a coach while also leading our program to success. Throughout my conversations with Kelsi, it was apparent she wanted to be an Arkansas Razorback and welcomed the challenge of building our women’s basketball program to compete against the best-of-the-best in the SEC. I want to thank Derita Dawkins, Taylor McGillis and Kat Devenport for their assistance during the search process.”
Musick led ORU to a second-place finish in the Summit League this past season after a third-place finish in her second season in Tulsa. Her 2023-24 team made history with the program’s first 20-win season since 2011-12 and made it to the postseason for the first time since 2011 by hosting Grambling in the first round of the WNIT.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at the University of Arkansas,” Musick said. “This is a place with a proud tradition, passionate fans and a commitment to excellence in every way. I’m excited to get to work building something special. I want to thank Hunter Yurachek and his staff for their belief in me, and I can’t wait to pour into our student-athletes, compete in the SEC and represent this university with pride.”
Prior to Oral Roberts, she spent 13 seasons as the head coach at NCAA Division II Southwestern Oklahoma State. Musick amassed a 259-125 (.674) record at SWOSU earning Great American Conference Coach of the Year honors five times while leading the Lady Bulldogs to the national championship game in 2019 as part of seven NCAA Tournament appearances.
The Lady Bulldogs ranked in the Top 10 nationally in scoring offense in seven of her nine nine seasons, averaging more than 80 points per game in five of those years. In her final season, the team averaged 82.1 points per game to rank third in the nation. That same season, sophomore Makyra Tramble was named the Ron Lenz National Player of the Year and an All-American. Tramble went on to become a three-time All-American and three-time GAC Player of the Year. Musick’s 2018-19 team won 35 consecutive games – setting the school record for wins in a single season – and advanced to the NCAA National Championship game.
Musick’s career began at Fresno State with one season as the Director of Basketball Operations (2003-04) before becoming the head coach at Canton (Okla.) High School, her alma mater. After two seasons leading Canton, she returned to Fresno State as the Basketball Operations Coordinator (2006-08) before spending one season as an Assistant Coach. The Bulldogs won 20 games in consecutive seasons and captured the Western Athletic Conference regular-season and tournament titles before finishing 24-9 with a trip to the NCAA Tournament in 2009.
Musick played collegiately at Cameron University, where she set school records for career three-point shooting percentage and assists. As a senior, she helped lead the Aggies to a school record 25 wins and the program’s first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament. She was inducted into the Cameron University Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2025.
Musick and her husband, Josh, have three children – sons, Maddox and Titus, and one daughter, Amaria.
