CHICAGO (May 12, 2022) – Set to begin her first season in charge in Rogers Park, Loyola University Chicago head women's basketball coach Allison Guth announced her finalized coaching staff on Thursday.  That group consists of assistant coaches Marsha Frese, Jordan McCann, and Sheila Boykin, director of basketball operations Abi Scheid, and director of player development Chanise Jenkins.
 
"I am thrilled to have these tremendous teachers, wonderful mentors, and phenomenal humans on board as we begin our journey together with our team," Guth commented.
 
Assistant Coach Marsha Frese
Marsha Frese, who boasts over 20 years of coaching experience at the Division I level, arrives at Loyola from San Diego State University, where she served as an assistant coach.  Prior to her time with the Aztecs, Frese spent five seasons as head coach at the University of Missouri - Kansas City, where she signed or coached four of the top 10 all-time scorers or rebounders in program history.  The Roos also excelled in the classroom, posting the top team grade-point average in Division I in back-to-back seasons while also being ranked in the top 25 of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Top 25 Honor Roll.
 
Frese, who was an assistant coach at the University of Illinois during Guth's playing career with the Fighting Illini, also boasts stints at Ball State, Minnesota, Maryland, and Northern Illinois, in addition to her time in Champaign, Ill.  A graduate of Rice University, Frese coached alongside her sister, Brenda, during her stops at Ball State, Minnesota, and Maryland, laying the foundation for the Terrapins' 2006 run to the National Championship.
 
Guth on Frese: "I feel unbelievably fortunate to have an incredibly gifted veteran like Marsha joining our staff.  Coach Frese was one of my college coaches and the opportunity to get to work alongside her at this point in our careers is so special.  Her breadth of knowledge, commitment to building meaningful relationships, and tremendous work ethic are what will benefit our program immediately.  I am thrilled to welcome Marsha, her husband, Jason, and her children, Kylan and Camden, to our Rambler family."
 
Frese on Loyola: "I'm ecstatic at the opportunity to join Coach Guth's staff at Loyola.  I've had a front-row seat watching Allison's career, having had the great fortune of coaching her at the University of Illinois.  As a player, Allison was hardworking, enthusiastic, and a phenomenal teammate.  It was clear early in her coaching career that Allison had the makings of an incredible head coach.  Throughout her career, Allison has proven to be committed to developing the whole student-athlete, while building her teams to compete at the highest level.  I'm so appreciative to be a part of what Allison is building at Loyola, and am excited to help carry out her championship vision for the Rambler program."
 
Assistant Coach Jordan McCann
Chicago native Jordan McCann has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Iona College.  McCann aided in both the recruitment and development of six All-Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) honorees during his time with the Gaels.  That group was highlighted by 2021-22 MAAC Defensive Player of the Year Juana Camilion, who became the first Gael in program history to take home the league's top defensive honor.
 
McCann, who graduated from the University of Illinois, has also made coaching stops at the University of Bridgeport, Colorado College, and St. Thomas University, where he earned a master's degree in sports administration.
 
Guth on McCann: "I'm ecstatic to have a human like Coach McCann to work alongside.  His coaching experience at the high school, Division III, and Division I collegiate levels, his infectious enthusiasm for our game, and passion for being a life-long learner is what will positively impact our program.  I am so grateful to welcome Jordan and his wife Nia (formerly Nia Oden - Illinois Women's Basketball) to our Rambler family."
 
McCann on Loyola: "I want to thank Coach Guth for this great opportunity!  It has been a dream of mine to come back to my home city of Chicago and to join such a prestigious institution.  I'm excited and beyond blessed to be a part of Coach Guth's program, as she continues to build on Loyola's tradition.  It's an honor to continue to positively impact the lives of student-athletes on and off the court.  I am eager to get started.  I am coming home!  Go Ramblers!" 
 
Assistant Coach Sheila Boykin
Louisiana State University product Sheila Boykin comes to The Windy City following a two-year stay at California State University, Northridge (CSUN), where she served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.  Boykin got her start in the collegiate coaching ranks at San Diego State University, spending the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons as a graduate assistant with the Aztecs.
 
On the hardwood, Boykin appeared in 113 games during her four-year stint at LSU, starting in 42 contests for the Tigers.  The 2014 recipient of the Eye of the Tiger Award, which is given annually to an LSU student-athlete who overcomes adversity in their life to succeed both in the classroom and in competition, Boykin averaged 5.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 1.5 assists as a senior.  A 2015 graduate of LSU, Boykin, who secured a master's degree in homeland security at CSUN, played professionally in Greece and Turkey.
 
Guth on Boykin: "I'm jazzed to have Sheila bringing all of her talents from the West Coast here to Chicago.  Sheila will be a phenomenal mentor and teacher for our young women.  Her playing experience at LSU, coaching experience at the high school, travel, and Division I collegiate levels, and her passion for growing young women holistically, is what we are so fortunate to have garnered in her addition to our family."
 
Boykin on Loyola: "I am extremely excited to join the Loyola women's basketball program under the leadership of Allison Guth.  Loyola is a university that values the experience of the student-athlete, leading with valuing them as human beings first and foremost.  I strongly believe in Coach Guth's vision, and I look forward to assisting the coaching staff and our student-athletes in achieving academic and competitive excellence."
 
Director of Basketball Operations Abi Scheid
Abi Scheid, who spent last season at the program's director of basketball operations, will continue in that role in 2022-23.  The Elk River, Minn. native arrived in Rogers Park just ahead of the 2020-21 season, serving as director of player development.
 
A 2020 graduate of Northwestern University, Scheid enjoyed a decorated four-year playing career with the Wildcats, putting up 1,146 career points in Evanston, Ill.  As a senior, she took home First Team All-Big Ten accolades after averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds as she helped lead Northwestern to its first Big Ten regular season title in 30 years.
 
Guth on Scheid: "I'm genuinely grateful that we were able to acquire Abi and her talents on our staff here at Loyola.  She has built a tremendous reputation among our administration and our players in her tenure thus far as a Rambler.  Her attention to detail, professional love for administration, and personal investment in giving back to our players, staff, and the Loyola community is what will make us all so fortunate to work alongside her."
 
Scheid on Loyola: "There are multiple reasons why Loyola is so special.  The high level of athletics and academics, beautiful location, and great facilities.  Ultimately, what drew me to Loyola was the people.  I've had the opportunity to work within the program for the past couple years and I'm lucky to have the chance to continue doing so with Coach Guth.  She has a wealth of experience and I'm excited to learn and grow from her and our staff.  As always, Ramble On!"
 
Director of Player Development Chanise Jenkins
Former DePaul University standout Chanise Jenkins returns to Chicago after a successful professional career overseas, having plied her trade in Switzerland, Australia, and Hungary.  After returning stateside, Jenkins secured a coaching internship with the WNBA's Connecticut Sun.
 
A native of Chicago and product of Whitney Young High School, Jenkins finds her name littered across the Blue Demon record books.  Over 141 career appearances, a mark that ranks third in DePaul annals, Jenkins finds herself sitting 13^th all-time in program history with 1,605 career points.  Jenkins took home All-BIG EAST Conference honors three times, highlighted by a senior campaign in which she was named the 2015-16 BIG EAST Player of the Year after averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.6 steals as the Blue Demons captured a regular season conference title and advanced to the Sweet Sixteen of the NCAA Tournament.

Guth on Jenkins: "I'm fired up to welcome Chanise back home to Chicago.  Chanise, better known as Trix, is someone I've known for a long time from the recruiting trail to her prolific playing days at DePaul.  She has a brilliant basketball mind and is so driven by giving back to a game that has provided her so much.  Her professional experience playing overseas, commitment to empowering young women through this beautiful sport, and experience coaching in the WNBA with the Connecticut Sun, will instantly impact our team's success."
 
Jenkins on Loyola: "I chose Loyola because I share the same vision and passion as Coach Guth.  My love for Chicago will never falter, and to be able to help keep Chicago kids home and assist in putting them in the best situations possible is something I look forward to.  Chicago is home for me and I'm ready to give back to the city that helped raised me."