Former Nebraska women’s basketball coach Connie Yori is returning to Creighton’s staff. Most recently, Yori was Nebraska’s head coach for 14 years and compiled a 114-49 record. The Cornhuskers under Yori reached the NCAA Tournament nine times, going as far as the Sweet 16 in 2010 and 2013, and she was named national coach of the year in 2010 after a 32-2 record.

Yori graduated from Creighton as its leading scorer with 2,010 points and has her jersey number retired. She is now Creighton’s all time third-leading scorer. She served as an assistant from 1986-89 and coached the Bluejays from 1992-2002 compiling a 170-115 record. 

Head coach Jim Flanery, who was an assistant under Yori at Loras from 1990-92, followed her when she became head coach at Creighton for her 10 seasons with the Bluejays and took over after she left for Nebraska, spoke highly of Yori’s addition.

“Bringing Connie on staff will have tremendous value for our program both in the immediate future and in the long term,” Flanery said. “She adds unique experience as a former head coach to break down game film and ask questions from a different perspective.” 

Flanery also spoke of the value she brings as a former Creighton alumna and staff member. Yori’s new role will be in an advisory capacity; watching film, advising the team in strategy and participating in on-campus recruiting. She will not travel and will not be present at every game.

While Yori left Nebraska under scrutiny, she is eager to focus on the future and her time back at Creighton. According to USA Today, Yori resigned from her position following claims of player mistreatment. Players have come out to defend their coach, and several other furious Huskers coaches believed she was ousted by, now-fired, Huskers athletic director Shawn Eichorst, whose philosophy conflicted with Yori’s tough, old school style. 

At her first press conference, she was intent to explain her resignation was to spend more time with her family.

“I think things happen for a reason, and the last 22 months have been an absolute godsend for me because I’ve had time to spend with my son that I haven’t had as much. My parents went into assisted living about the time I left Nebraska,” said Yori.

After some time away, Connie Yori is eager to rejoin the Creighton community. 

“It feels like I’m coming home, Yori said. “A lot of times things go full circle, and that’s what is happening here.”