Women's Basketball

In his first season as head coach, Wade Whaley led a strong sophomore class to the Women’s Basketball team’s best season in two decades, with an 18-12 overall record and a 10-6 record in Region 2 competition. Notable achievements include: most wins (18), most conference wins (10), tied most non-conference wins since 2018-19 (8), most home wins since 2018–19 (9), most road wins in 20 years (8), highest conference tournament seed in 20 years (4th) and a home win versus #15 Grayson College. Western concluded the season leading the nation in FTM (20) and FTA (28) per game, ranked 4^th in 3PT% (35%), 10^th in FT% (73%), and was Top 50 in PPG (73) and Total Points (2180). Three players earned All-Region honors: Aaliyah Young - 1st Team, Tazhia Watson - Honorable Mention, and Alana Davis - Honorable Mention.

Whaley comes to Altus with a strong track record of success across multiple collegiate levels. Most recently, he served as an assistant coach at the University of the Incarnate Word (UIW), where the Cardinals posted an 18-14 record, including a 12-8 mark in Southland Conference play. The team finished fourth in the SLC standings, advanced to the conference tournament semifinals, and earned a bid to the WNIT.

Over his coaching career, Whaley has compiled a 174-54 overall record as an assistant coach. His player development résumé includes over 15 athletes signing to NCAA Division II or higher within the past three years. He has consistently contributed to nationally ranked programs at the NCAA Division II and NJCAA Division I levels.

Prior to UIW, Whaley spent the 2023–24 season as an assistant at Grayson College, where the Vikings recorded three wins over nationally ranked opponents. That season, he helped two players sign with NCAA Division I schools and guided four athletes to All-NTJAC honors.

Whaley also served as an assistant coach at Murray State College for two seasons, helping the program secure back-to-back Region II regular season and tournament championships, along with two NJCAA national tournament appearances. During his time with the Aggies, he coached multiple NJCAA All-Americans and sent numerous players to four-year programs, including nine to NCAA Division II institutions.

His coaching journey began at West Texas A&M University, where he was a student assistant during one of the program's most dominant stretches. There, he was part of a staff that earned two Lone Star Conference regular season titles, two conference tournament championships, and three NCAA DII national tournament appearances, including a Sweet Sixteen run.

With his proven ability to recruit, develop, and lead high-achieving student-athletes, Coach Whaley brings a winning mentality and a commitment to excellence to the Pioneers program.