Keisha Newell

Head Coach

Newell arrived at Oakland in March of 2025 with over 10 years of collegiate coaching experience. Over the last three seasons she has headed the Lewis University Flyers to three consecutive NCAA Division II Tournament Appearances, two Great Lakes Valley Conference (GLVC) Regular Season Championships, and one GLVC Tournament Championship.

As a two-time, back-to-back, IBCA Collegiate College Coach of the Year (2023-24), Newell guided the Flyers to three consecutive seasons of 21+ overall wins and 15+ conference wins, holding a 69-22 record, including a program record 19 conference wins in 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Known for creating high-power offensive programs, the Flyers were consistently ranked in the top 50 nationally in categories such as field goal percentage, three point percentage, and assist to turnover ratio under Newell. During the 2024 season, Lewis University boasted both the highest offensive and defensive efficiency ratings in the GLVC.

Prior to her time at Lewis, Newell also spent time at the helm of Roosevelt University, where she led the program to 61 wins over four seasons (2015-19), rejuvenating a program that had won just eight games in the season prior to her hiring.

Her arrival at Oakland is not her first stint in the Division I ranks, nor her first in the Horizon League, as she spent three seasons (2011-14) as an assistant coach at Loyola Chicago, who were members of the Horizon League until 2013.

With the Ramblers she helped guide the squad to a Horizon League Championship Title Game appearance in 2013. Newell has lived basketball throughout her career, including a playing career at Loyola Chicago where she was a three-year starter and 2007-08 Horizon League All-Newcomer Team selection.

Newell's ability to develop players and nurture a successful team environment is  showcased by the 18 All-Conference student-athletes she has coached during her coaching tenures.

Newell is joined by husband, Anthony Newell, and two children, Addisyn and Kamryn as they usher in a new chapter of Oakland Women's Basketball.