CHICKASHA, Okla. – On Monday, the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma announced the hiring of Jaye Nayreau as the new head coach of the women's basketball team. Nayreau joined the women's basketball staff after four years as an assistant coach at Tennessee State University (NCAA DI).
In 2023-24, the Drover finished the season with an overall record of 19-10 and a 15-7 record against their Sooner Athletic Conference foes. USAO made its third consecutive appearance in the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament. The Drovers have appeared in five of the last seven seasons, and the team has qualified for the tournament seven times in total.
Nayreau brings more than 15 years of collegiate coaching experience. Prior to TSU, Nayreau coached at Florida A&M University (NCAA DI) and Trinity Valley Community College (NJCAA). While at Trinity Valley, Nayreau’s responsibilities included all aspects of recruiting, on-floor coaching, player and skill development, opposition scouting and film breakdown, team academic guidance, assisting in community service outreach, and youth basketball camps.
Before his stop at Trinity Valley, Nayreau spent two seasons coaching high school boys’ basketball at Osbourn Park in Manassas, Va. His duties included being the head coach for the junior varsity and freshman boys’ teams while also assisting the varsity program in the day-to-day operations.
He was an assistant coach at Texas Southern University (NCAA DI) from 2013-2015. During that time, he served as the recruiting coordinator and supervised the organization and execution of all student-athlete recruitment. His other duties included player development, opponent scouting, academic counseling, team travel and meals, and NCAA compliance liaison. The impact of his efforts led to back-to-back postseason appearances in the WNIT, along with a Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) championship.
Preceding his days at Texas Southern and Osbourn Park HS, Nayreau established himself as a recruiter and player/skills developer. He made professional stops at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette (NCAA DI - 2010-2012), the University of Southern Mississippi (NCAA DI - 2009-2010), and Stephen F. Austin (NCAA DI - 2007-2009).
Nayreau began his coaching career as an assistant at Dodge City Community College (NJCAA - 2005-2007). He transitioned into this role shortly after a year as the Graduate Assistant manager for the women’s basketball team at Saint Louis University (NCAA DI - 2004-2005).
A native of Houston, Texas, Nayreau earned a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Sam Houston State in 2002.
When announcing the hiring, USAO Athletic Director Mike Ross said," We were extremely fortunate to find someone like Coach Nayreau. His experience, values, and philosophy are exactly what we were looking for in a head coach. This hire puts our women’s basketball program in a great position to continue their success on the court and in the classroom.”