University of North Texas Athletics
Female Head Coaches Speak on NGWSD's Importance
2/2/2022 9:00:00 AM | Swimming and Diving, Women's Basketball, Women's Volleyball
DENTON – UNT Athletics is proud of the three women head coaches leading its sport programs, providing strong role models for young women both on campus and in the Denton community, a fact worthy of highlighting on National Girls and Women in Sports Day.
"I am proud of the fact that we have women leading several of our athletics programs and in senior administration at UNT," vice president and director of athletics Wren Baker said. "I believe it is important to have strong female role models not just for our student-athletes, but young women and girls in our community, as well. I am thankful for the tremendous example set by the women leaders in UNT athletics."
UNT's roster of head coaches features three women: Jalie Mitchell (women's basketball), Kristee Porter (volleyball) and Brittany Roth (swimming and diving), in addition to multiple women administrators and the senior and executive levels.
Mitchell, the longest tenured of UNT's female head coaches, also was a Hall of Fame player for the Mean Green before serving as an assistant coach at UNT, Texas and UNC-Wilmington prior to returning to Denton in 2015 to lead the program.
"I believe there are many exceptional women in our sport," Mitchell said. "It's mostly about opportunity, in my opinion. We have to be given important responsibilities as assistants and support staff in order to be and feel prepared for that first seat. There are talented females all over the world, who may not be visible to the naked eye but with a little push and some homework by the decision makers, will be able to lead outstanding young women and programs in the future."
According to the NCAA, just 25 percent of Division I coaches overall are female, and only two percent overall are African American females. Mitchell pointed to a few fellow black female head coaches in her sport as those who have served as inspiration for her, just as she hopes she can be for the next generation of women in positions of power in the athletic world.
"I've been fortunate to remain close with two black female head coaches that I had the pleasure of working with," Mitchell said. "Cynthia Cooper-Dyke and Johnetta Hayes inspire me daily and encouraged me to not only accept this role, but to excel in it. I am also honored to be a member of the Women of Color group, along with Dawn Staley, Joni Taylor and a host of other black females leaving their marks in our sport."
Porter also pointed to the fact she is helping to groom future generations of successful women – whether it be in sports, business or any other realm – as one of the most important parts of her job. And she is grateful for National Girls and Women in Sports Day, as it shines a light on that aspect of the business that is collegiate athletics.
"It's really important for me, being a leader of young women, to show them exactly what they're capable of doing and making sure they have a voice and they are free to express that voice without fear and with confidence," Porter said.
Roth, who along with Mitchell and Porter, was also a successful collegiate athlete before moving on to the coaching business, said National Girls and Women in Sports Day makes her look back on her own career and what brought her to this point. It also makes her realize the importance of her position as a female head coach at the Division I level.
"This day shines a light on women in sports, and gives us all a chance to see other women pursuing their goals within sport," Roth said. "As a former athlete, this day makes me think about the teammates that became like family and a support system throughout our competitive seasons. I'm reminded of the hard work that I put in, but also the people who were in the lanes next to mine, working and pursuing their dreams, too.
"Now as a coach, this day holds a much larger umbrella of gratitude and appreciation for women in sport. I'm grateful for each of our student-athletes who have followed their passions to pursue their goals in the water as they work towards their goals in the classroom and prepare for life after sport. This day holds space to appreciate the women who forged the path and have given visibility and empowerment to female coaches, and I also enjoy getting to celebrate the women who are also in the midst of their careers, currently navigating the landscape of college athletics. By shining a light on women in sport, this day could be the catalyst that sparks a career in sport for the next generation."
