Garber Concludes Ten Years as QU’s Head Coach of Women’s Basketball; Search for New Coach Begins Immediately
Quincy University has announced a change in the leadership of the women’s basketball program as head coach Jeni Garber and QU have mutually agreed that her contract will not be renewed. Her coaching and administrative careers at QU have come to an end.
A search for a new women’s basketball coach will begin immediately. No interim coach has been named.
“We would like to thank Coach Garber for her hard work and 10 years of dedication to the QU Women’s Basketball program and the university,” said Brian McGee, Ph.D., president. “An Illinois native, Coach Garber has had many successes at QU. Her integrity and character are rightly admired by her students and colleagues.”
During her tenure at QU Garber has earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues in the athletic department and across the university campus.
“Coach Garber has demonstrated professionalism and resiliency both on and off the court,” said Phil Conover, interim athletic director and president emeritus. “Following key student injuries and other challenges in the past few years, Coach Garber and QU are making the decision to pursue new strategies for competitive success in women’s basketball.”
While serving as head coach, Garber led the Hawks to three NCAA Tournament appearances and has a record of 127-150 through her ten seasons at QU. She was named the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Division II Coach of the Year in 2012, 2014 and 2016. She was appointed QU Athletics Senior Women’s Administrator in 2017.
Garber became the 11th head coach for the Hawks in program history in 2011 after previously serving as an assistant coach at Division I Bradley University for 11 seasons. She was the longest-serving assistant coach in Bradley program history.
“I would like to thank Quincy University for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream these past ten years,” said Garber. “I will miss my incredible colleagues and this university community, but mostly I will miss the student-athletes who have become like family to me over the years.”
In women’s basketball, the Hawks reached at least 22 wins in each of the three NCAA Tournament seasons in 2011-12, 2013-14 and 2015-16. Garber’s Hawks matched the fourth-most wins in program history when they went 25-6 overall and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in 2015-16. The No. 22-ranked Hawks upset No. 4-ranked Lewis in the semifinals of the GLVC Tournament, 59-54, in St. Charles, Mo. that season before falling in the conference title game to Bellarmine.
Prior to Bradley, Garber served on the coaching staff at Minnesota State- Mankato and at the University of Missouri. She served as a graduate assistant at East Tennessee State, where she earned her master’s of science degree and graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech in 1991. Garber spent two seasons as head coach at Normal West High school, from 1998-2000, where she helped her team to back-to-back 19-win seasons before joining the staff at Bradley University.
Garber, originally from Metamora, Illinois, had a standout playing career, leading Virginia Tech in scoring as a senior and serving as team captain. She was named to the Metro Conference All-Rookie team as a junior and earned Second Team All-Conference honors as a senior. Prior to Virginia Tech Garber played two years at Illinois Central College, where she earned Second Team All-American honors.
Founded in 1860 by Franciscan friars, Quincy University is celebrating 160 years as a small Catholic university emphasizing the sciences, liberal arts and the professions. Quincy University offers undergraduate, graduate and adult education programs integrating practical experience and Franciscan values. Faculty and advisors work with students to design customized success plans to help them graduate on time, find their passion and prepare them for life. QU is a member of NCAA Division II for intercollegiate athletics. For more information, please visit www.quincy.edu or contact the Office of Community Relations at (217) 228-5275 or communityrelations@quincy.edu. Quincy University. Success by Design.