Lori Opp

Hometown: Havana, Ill. Position: Head Coach Birthdate: 06/30/1965

Experience: 4th Year Alma Mater: Western Illinois (1988)

Lori Opp enters her fourth year at the helm of the Saluki women’s basketball program.

Last season, SIU struggled to a 7-20 record and 10th-place finish in the Valley at 3-15.

Opp made her debut as head coach in 2000-01. Since then, she has compiled an overall record of 20-61, 9-45 (MVC) in three years at the helm.

With over 13 years of Division I coaching experience, Opp enters this season with the hopes of guiding the Dawgs to not only their first MVC Tournament appearance since 1999-00, but their first winning season since 1995-96 (18-10).

A native of Havana, Ill., Opp first joined the Southern Illinois University women’s coaching staff in 1998. Under then-head coach Julie Beck, Opp worked as an assistant coach for two seasons helping in the day-to-day operations of the program, including practice and game preparation. In addition, her coaching responsibilities included working with the post players.

Prior to SIU country, Opp served as an assistant coach at Murray State where she handled recruiting and team travel in addition to being involved in game preparation, scheduling, fundraising, promotions, scouting, summer camps, academics and purchasing of equipment.

Opp also coached at Eastern Illinois University where she was the only assistant. She served as recruiting coordinator in addition to handling team travel, scouting responsibilities, practice planning and game preparation. Following three years with the Panthers, she then accepted a similar position at Indiana State where she was in charge of recruiting, scouting, game preparation, team travel and correspondence.

A standout player at both Lincoln College and Western Illinois University, Opp was a co-captain and tri-captain of teams there in 1986 and 1987, respectively. She was also named the team’s Most Valuable Player in 1987.

Serving as a volunteer assistant coach, while completing her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education (1988), Opp then remained on campus to obtain her Master’s degree in Education (1990), while serving as a graduate assistant. Additionally, Opp graduated cum laude.

Lori Opp’s Career Coaching Record