This Coaching Pair Makes History

Previously, she’d coached at Lynn University and Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tn. She spent a short time as an assistant coach at UT as well, working under her husband, where her coaching and recruiting abilities helped propel the team to dominance. Last season, Nikki Jessee also created the annual Women’s Walk event held every year on campus to raise money for the UT women’s basketball team and breast cancer research. She helped raise $11,000. Her coaching pedigree speaks for itself, too. It came as no surprise that Nikki was named Saint Leo women’s basketball head coach on April 11, 2011.

When Nikki was initially offered the job, she and Tom realized that she would be moving from an assistant position at UT to head coach at St. Leo – a logical leap that could come with potentially unnerving consequences.

“When I was [first offered the job], we were both pretty quiet about it as we were letting it sink in,” Nikki said. “I don’t think Tom was nervous, but we were both overwhelmed at first since we also have a young daughter together. We had to figure everything out quickly.”

“Essentially it was a dream job for us,” Tom said. “We’d constantly been wondering ‘what if’ about potential jobs she could get. We were lucky enough that she landed the job there and saw it as a great opportunity.”

Nikki  left an impression on the players at UT, and she would be sorely missed. But the choice ended up being one of logic – once a head coach, always a head coach.

“Well, it’s always a big blow to lose an assistant, especially someone that helps with recruiting and fundraising so well,” Tom said. “She always invested a lot of time. She has a wealth of knowledge about the game and it was great to have her here, both professionally and personally.”

More so than losing an assistant coach, Tom and Nikki were losing time that they could be spending together.

“We do spend a lot of time apart now, and that’s why we have to really love each other and our jobs to make this work,” Nikki said. “We have to schedule time to see each other, and to just talk.”

On the court, Nikki’s Lions got off to a hot start tying the program record for best start at 6-0. They’ve lost a few games following that hot streak, but Nikki’s hopes are high. That’s impressive for a team that’s only had one winning season out of 35.

“Our season is going well so far,” Nikki said. “We start two freshmen, two sophomores and a junior, so we’re young. We will turn the corner soon, and build on that the rest of the way and into next season.”

On the other end of the conference, Tom’s Lady Spartans went on a run going into December. They won three games in a row against Ave Maria, Southeastern and Grand Valley State. It appeared that the Spartans were the favorite going into their January 4th meeting against St. Leo.

“Leading up to the game, it was all about what we could do for the history of the sport,” Tom said. “We saw it as a national stage for what we could do for the sport.”

“Everything was normal, except we didn’t talk about the game at all. That has been the only game we haven’t discussed the night before,” Nikki said. “I wouldn’t say it was tense or fun, just weird.  You never want to hurt someone you love, and one of us was going to be hurt.”

The game took place at the Bob Martinez center and was given an array of nicknames, from the ‘Divorce Bowl’ to the ‘The Marital Matchup.’ Fortunately, neither coach took it personally, and no ‘sleeping on the couch’ threats were thrown in. In fact, an average spectator would be hard-pressed to sense any disdain at all between coaches. It was a great day for both schools and all of women’s basketball.

“The positive publicity should benefit both Universities from increased visibility and exposure not only with renewed interest in watching the games as spectators, but also with increased interest in attending the schools,” UT Athletic Director Larry Marfise said.

UT ended up winning the game 61-30.

“After the game, it was the classic no-win situation,” Tom said. “We knew that going in. It was great for the team but lousy as the same time. But we couldn’t dwell on it – either of us. Especially when we have to turn around and play another game two days later.”

Basketball will remain a staple in this family’s day-to-day operations. Both Tom and Nikki have proven that they are capable and successful basketball coaches. They prosper because this is their niche, and they’ve found happiness in it together. Tom, Nikki and their daughter Rudi celebrated Nikki’s birthday the day after ‘The Marital Matchup.’

“We have fun with this,” Tom said. “We’re a basketball family, no doubt about that.”

The next showdown takes place Feb. 8 at St. Leo, as Nikki looks to turn the tables on her husband.

Miles Parks can be reached at Minaret.Sports@gmail.com