Monmouth University Women's Basketball Head Coach Jody Craig announced the hiring of Kira Mowen as an assistant coach in June of 2018. Mowen brings Division 1 coaching experience from the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Davidson University, and Texas State University. She played collegiately at the University of Illinois and Youngstown State University, where she served as a team captain.
"I am thrilled to announce the hiring of Kira Mowen as a top assistant coach,” said Craig. “We will benefit tremendously from the wealth of experience that Kira has at the Division 1 level both as a coach and as a former player. Kira will play major roles for us in the areas of recruiting as well as player development. She is well-respected amongst her peers and has demonstrated a proven passion for recruiting top quality student-athletes, teaching the game and for developing players. I look forward to our program stepping up another level with the addition of Coach Mowen.”
In 2018-19, Mowen helped lead the Hawks to their highest-ever MAAC finish (4th). Monmouth accumulated a 14-17 (9-9 MAAC) overall record and advanced to the MAAC Semifinals for the second time in six seasons. After securing a first round bye, the Hawks defeated Canisius in the MAAC Quarterfinals, 64-53.
Mowen comes to West Long Branch from Wisconsin Milwaukee, where she served as an assistant coach. There, she assisted the program to its best regular season win total in history with 20. The team also made a WNIT appearance and advanced to the second round. Mowen helped guide two Horizon League All-Conference Team selections as well.
From 2010 to 2017 at Davidson, she served in multiple capacities, including interim head coach, assistant coach, and recruiting coordinator. As a member of the Wildcats’ coaching staff, the team registered two 22-win seasons, won the 2011-12 Southern Conference Regular Season Championship, and made WNIT appearances in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Mowen earned a masters of education with a specialization in sports management at Texas State in 2010.