DENTON, Texas- North Texas head women's basketball coach Karen Aston announced her first assistant coach hires on Monday as Angela Ortega and Wesley Brooks have joined the coaching staff. Ortega, who served as an assistant coach under Aston at Charlotte after spending 15 years as a North Texas assistant joins Brooks, who comes to the Mean Green after spending three seasons as an assistant at Texas Southern.
"I know the North Texas family, along with myself is thrilled about Angela coming back," said Aston. "Needless to say, it is instrumental in what we are building here to have people that understand my system. Not only will Angela bring that consistency, but also a sense of loyalty and commitment. She was tremendous in her contributions at Charlotte, and I look forward to continuing that here at North Texas."
Ortega spent four seasons as an assistant at Charlotte under Aston, where the 49ers reached the postseason in four consecutive seasons, including an appearance in the 2009 NCAA Tournament and the 2011 WNIT Final Four.
Prior to her time at Charlotte, she spent 15 years coaching at North Texas, and served with Aston on the same coaching staff from 1996-98. In her first stint with the Mean Green, she played an integral role in recruiting seven all-conference players including, Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year Jalie Mitchell and Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year Rosalyn Reades.
Brooks spent three seasons as an assistant at Texas Southern, under coach Yolanda Wells-Broughton, where he helped revitalize a Tiger program that had won no more than six conference games the previous three seasons and had not finished higher than sixth in the league since 2000-01.
"The addition of Coach Brooks was huge for our staff," said Aston. "It seemed that each time I asked about an up-and-coming recruiter in the state, Wes was mentioned. I'm so excited, because his energy and enthusiasm will be contagious with our players and staff. He is a ball of fire, and I expect him to make an impact on the recruiting trail."
In 2009-10, the Tigers posted their first .500 plus conference season since 2000-01 and had their highest seed in the conference tournament since that season, and advanced to their first SWAC Tournament semifinal since 1992-93. Prior to Texas Southern, Brooks was the director of basketball operations at Robert Morris during 2007-08, where he helped the Colonials to a 23-10 record, a Northeastern Conference Championship, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament.
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