Energy.  Enthusiasm.  Teacher of the game.  Cares about his players.

Those are the themes that keep coming from the people who best know Oties (O-teese) Epps, the new head women's basketball coach at the University of Evansville.

Epps, 32, was introduced this morning by University of Evansville Director of Athletics John Stanley in a news conference on the UE campus.  Epps was joined by his wife, Kelly, and daughters Makayla, Madison and Aliah.

"The University of Evansville is a great place to coach women's basketball," Epps said.  "I met with a few of the student-athletes on my visit, and they are eager and hungry to be successful.  That kind of attitude excites me.  My first task will be to re-recruit the student-athletes, and get to know them. Then I want to connect with the athletics department staff, and connect with the community.  I'll definitely be reaching out to the local high school and AAU coaches.  They will be a big part of our success, too."

A native of Highland Park, Michigan, Epps played basketball at Mt. Senario College before transferring to the University of Wisconsin-Stout, where he earned his bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies in 2002, and his master's degree in Education in 2006.  He stayed on as an assistant coach for the men's team at Stout until 2004, and then served four years as an assistant women's coach at Cleveland State University.  CSU won only four games in each of his first two seasons on coach Kate Peterson's staff, but quickly improved.  In Epps' last season at CSU, in 2007-08, the Vikings won the Horizon League Tournament title for the first time in school history, reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time in school history, and produced the school's most successful season in 24 years by winning 19 games.

Epps then joined Lisa Stone's staff in 2008 at the University of Wisconsin, where he spent the past three seasons.  The Badgers were 56-31 in his three years at Madison.  The 2009 team reached the Big 10 Tournament semifinals for the first time ever, and advanced to the third round of the WNIT.  The 2010 team won 20 games, earned an NCAA Tournament bid for the first time since 2002, and finished third in the Big 10 for their highest finish ever. In addition, Stone was chosen as Big 10 Coach of the Year in 2010.  Epps was promoted to Defensive Coordinator for the 2010-11 season, and the Badgers finished second in the Big 10 in scoring defense and fourth in field goal percentage defense.  Wisconsin again finished third in the Big 10 standings despite a season-ending injury to third leading scorer Tara Steinbauer, and the Badgers went on to play in the WNIT.  A total of nine players coached by Epps at Cleveland State and Wisconsin earned all-conference honors.

"Oties has been involved with numerous successful teams in his career," Stanley pointed out. "He is clearly liked and respected by coaches and players for his enthusiasm, character, and skill as a coach. Oties has had on- and off-court responsibilities during his career that make him a very well rounded coach and person.  I am confident that those associated with the University of Evansville will find Oties to be an asset to our community in many respects, and we are anxious for him to start his career as Head Women's Basketball Coach of the Aces!"

Epps becomes the 10th head coach in the 42-year history of women's basketball at the University of Evansville.  The Aces have reached post-season play four times, including twice in the past four years.  Here is what others say about Oties Epps:

KATHI BENNETT (head coach, Northern Illinois University...former University of Evansville head coach...former staff member at Wisconsin with Coach Epps):
"Oties has bountiful energy, he is always prepared, and he has strong convictions about how the game should be played.  He also has a wonderful personality, the kind that makes it easy to form relationships so that his vision will become Evansville's vision.  I really think the players will enjoy playing for him.  He will push them between the lines, but he will love them off the court."

STEPHANIE CROSLEY (former player under Coach Epps at Cleveland State...now graduate assistant coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point)
"I just want the players at Evansville to know that the program is in good hands.  Coach Epps will fulfill every expectation.  He has knowledge, he has a love for the game, and he has great character.  I always trusted him as my coach, and I can't say that about every coach I've had.  He just makes everything better."

KATE PETERSON ABIAD (head coach, Cleveland State University)
"Oties is dynamic and easy to like!  He will be both respected and embraced by all those who get to know
him--especially his team.  When he was on my staff at Cleveland State, he was a significant part of building our struggling program into a champion.  He made our players better, he was instrumental in preparing game plans that led to WINNING, and he helped me to identify and recruit players with championship mentality and ability.  I am confident Oties will improve the Evansville women's basketball program.  He will strive for excellence in all that he does."

LISA STONE (head coach, University of Wisconsin the past eight seasons...hired Coach Epps in 2008)
"Energy, enthusiasm, charisma and a great basketball mind are what I think of when I think of Oties Epps.  He is terrific between the lines, a great recruiter, and he has a personality that will allow him to connect with the Evansville community very easily.  Plus he's a great husband and father.  He will do very well as a head coach."

LEE REED (director of athletics, Georgetown University...former AD at Cleveland State University)
"Coach Epps is one of the rising stars in women's college basketball. He represents all that is good about college athletics. He is a tremendous person, dedicated family man and a great coach, educator and leader of student-athletes. Oties will do great things at Evansville, and he and his family will be wonderful additions to the Evansville community."

TY MARGENTHALER (head coach, Southeast Missouri State U....former assistant coach at Wisconsin)
"Oties is a man of great character.  He has passion and energy.  He's a great teacher of the game.  Everywhere he has been, Oties has been a builder. He understands what it takes to build a program.  His drive and passion will take him a long way. He's a great fit for the Evansville community."

EDDIE ANDRIST (head men's coach, Wisconsin-Stout 2000-present)
"Oties Epps has learned his craft, paid close attention to detail, and is a rising star in the world of women’s collegiate basketball.  He demonstrates every day his passion for the game, positive approach to teaching life lessons, outstanding core values, and a commitment to academic excellence.  The University of Evansville has opened its doors to a strong leader and will be proud to have him and his family join the family of the Purple Aces."