Ungashick Lobdell Steps Down as OWU Women's Basketball Head Coach

| By: Ohio Wesleyan Athletic Communications
DELAWARE, OH - Stacey Ungashick Lobdell has stepped down as head women’s basketball coach at Ohio Wesleyan University, announced today by Athletics Director Doug Zipp. Ungashick Lobdell has accepted the position of associate head coach for women's basketball at the University of North Florida.

"It has been an absolute honor to serve as head coach for the past 14 years. Being part of Ohio Wesleyan University — right here in my hometown — has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I will always cherish my time at OWU and the incredible people who made it so meaningful. To the players, alumni, fans, colleagues, and families who supported us every step of the way: thank you for your unwavering belief and passion. I'm deeply grateful to everyone who helped us uphold and grow the proud legacy of OWU Hoops: pride, passion, and purpose."

Ungashick Lobdell has served as Ohio Wesleyan's women's basketball coach since the 2011-12 season. The last four seasons were particularly successful for the Battling Bishops. The team won the North Coast Athletic Conference championship with a 14-0 record, finishing a conference schedule undefeated for the first time in school history, and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament in 2024-25. In 2023-24, the Bishops shared the NCAC title, the first conference championship for Ohio Wesleyan in nearly a quarter of a century, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III tournament. The 2022-23 Bishops won the NCAC tournament and made their first NCAA Division III tournament appearance in nearly 15 years, while the 2021-22 team posted 21 wins, then the Bishops' best season win total under Ungashick Lobdell, and advanced to the NCAC tournament championship game for the first time in seven seasons.

In 14 years as head coach, Ungashick Lobdell guided the Battling Bishops to a 189-175 record. Her tenure included two NCAC championship titles, one NCAC tournament title, three NCAC tournament runner-up appearances, and three NCAA Division III tournament appearances. Ungashick Lobdell was named NCAC Coach of the Year in 2013-14, and the Bishop coaching staff was named NCAC Coaching Staff of the Year in 2024-25. 

"Over the course of her tenure as our head coach, Stacey has built a nationally recognized program through leadership development and hard work, as well as pride, passion, and purpose," said Zipp. "The program she leaves is strong and talented in all facets of the game, on and off the court. We are sorry to see Stacey move on from the OWU family, and at the same time, very excited for her and the opportunity to continue to mentor and coach student-athletes at the Division I level."

Prior to taking over the head coaching reins at Ohio Wesleyan, she served as an assistant women's basketball coach for four seasons, helping the Bishops compile a record of 46-16 in NCAC play during that span, including a 14-2 mark in 2009-10. A Delaware native, Ungashick Lobdell spent seven seasons as head coach at Delaware Hayes High School before joining Ohio Wesleyan, leading the Pacers to three conference championships, seven sectional titles, and seven district semifinal appearances.

Susan Smith, the Battling Bishops' lead assistant coach, will serve as interim head coach at Ohio Wesleyan while a search to fill the position on a full-time basis takes place.

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