FGCU women's basketball is back to its winning ways this year. The Eagles rank first in the conference as they enter the homestretch before the postseason. One of the reasons for their success is FGCU's homegrown coaching staff.
FGCU has five coaches on its roster this year, four of which used to don the blue and green and play in the nest. Now, the quartet is back at their old stomping grounds to help the next generation.
“It makes a huge difference when you have people on your staff that have been through the program, have gone to school here, and they all share a love for FGCU," FGCU women's basketball head coach Chelsea Lyles said.
Starting at the top, Lyles played for the Eagles from 2008-10. After graduating, she worked her way up from graduate assistant to assistant coach to associate head coach and eventually took over as head coach this season after Karl Smesko left.
“I’m just really grateful to have a team that has accepted me as their head coach," Lyles said.
Three of the four assistant coaches also suited up for FGCU. Keri Jewett-Giles joined the staff this year after a successful high school career at Dunbar and then dominating in the nest and winning the ASUN Player of the Year award. Lisa Zderadicka was FGCU's first-ever two-year grad transfer. Plus, Sheahan Dowling grew up going to FGCU games as a fan before walking on to the Eagles team as a college player.
“I wanted to come back and give back here what these girls are getting," Dowling said. "It’s been fun.”
The coaches relive their playing days regularly, swapping stories and passing on lessons to the current players.
“It’s helpful for the players because we can actually relate to what they’ve been through,” Jewett-Giles said.
The pipeline is not done yet. Multiple current FGCU players have dreams of coaching one day. Lauryn Taylor is one of them. She says she'd love to stay in the nest and begin her career at FGCU.
“We all know the ball won’t always keep bouncing," Taylor said. "So I do want to translate what I’ve learned as a player into coaching and stay here. So hopefully maybe a spot will open up.”
For Lyles, that is what it is all about. She knows first-hand how hard it can be to get into the Division I coaching game. So she wants to do all she can to help her players achieve their dreams, especially if it means the nest stays full of Eagles.
“That’s the main reason I got into coaching — the relationships and the mentorship that you do in coaching,” Lyles said.