— Knox Brings WNBA, NBA, and International Player Development Experience to North Texas
DENTON — Former Indiana Fever coach Carlos Knox has been added to the North Texas women’s basketball coaching staff as an assistant, head coach Jalie Mitchell announced Wednesday morning.
A veteran coach of 15 years, Knox joins the Mean Green after a seven-year stint as an assistant/player development coach with the Indiana Fever, where he won a WNBA championship and was instrumental in the development of Tamika Catchings, the former Duncanville star who is the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder.
“When I first met Carlos several years ago, his passion for the game was obvious,” Mitchell said. “He has done some special things in his career and I look forward to him adding that experience to our staff.”
Along with player development, Knox held responsibilities in scouting and rehabilitation. During his time in Indiana he coached under hall of famer Lin Dunn and later Stephanie White. The Fever reached the postseason every year he was there.
He’s also been a head coach in men’s professional leagues in Canada and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, Knox has been an assistant on the women’s staff at San Diego State and on the men’s team at his alma mater IUPUI.
With the addition of Knox, the Mean Green now have two all-time leading scorers on staff. As a player at IUPUI, he scored 2,556 points, which is the most in the school’s history. He was a three-time All-American and as a senior in 1998 was named the NCAA Division II Player of the Year. After graduating he played professionally with the Indiana Pacers and later overseas in four countries.
During his playing career, Knox overcame two ACL tears. That experience led him to the Fever’s Catchings, who faced a similar injury in the early 2000s. His success developing and rehabilitating Catchings into a future hall of famer opened the door to a brief one-year stint with the Fever in 2008. He returned to the team in 2010.
Catchings, who retired after last season, won three Olympic gold medals, was named to 10 all-star teams and, in 2011, was awarded the league’s MVP. She’s the WNBA’s all-time leading rebounder and steals leader.
While with the Fever, he also coached 2006 WNBA MVP Katie Douglas, three-time WNBA All-Defensive First Team selectee Briann January and Canadian Olympian Natalie Achonwa.
Knox’s success in player development has led him into NBA circles. In 2007, he founded his own training company, whose clients have included NBAers Zach Randolph, George Hill and more.
“Knox brings a wealth of knowledge in player development, mental and physical preparation, scouting and game strategy.” Mitchell said. “We are eager for him to get to work.”