Liberty University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Carey Green announced his retirement Aug. 28, leaving a large role to fill as he took with him the legacy of winning more games than any other coach in Liberty Athletics history.
However, there was no question who would take his place, as former Assistant Coach Alexis Sherard was announced to take over as the seventh head coach in the history of the program.
“Taking the helm after someone of his caliber is both humbling and exciting,” Sherard said to Liberty Athletics. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build on the program’s tradition while bringing my own vision to its next chapter.”
Sherard addressed the media in a press conference Sept. 2, where he shared his appreciation for the role as well as gave his vision for the 2025-2026 season.
“I want to begin by expressing my heartfelt gratitude. It is truly an honor to stand before you as the new head coach of Liberty University Women’s Basketball,” Sherard said. “This is not just a professional milestone. It’s a personal one.”
Sherard has worked closely alongside Green for the past 18 years, transferring to the women’s team in 2007 after working for the men’s program. Sherard worked as an assistant recruiting coordinator for a decade before his promotion to associate head coach in 2017.
“Liberty has been my home for the last 20 years, and I am incredibly thankful to President Costin, Ian McCaw, Erin Hagen and our entire administration for their belief in me and in this program,” Sherard said.
With nearly two decades under his belt, Sherard is familiar with Liberty’s mission as he works to train athletes at the highest level of college basketball.
“Coach Sherard embraces the mission of Liberty University to Train Champions for Christ, and the high standards for competitive and academic excellence of the Lady Flames,” Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw said in a press release.
Sherard’s coaching experience spans back almost 30 years as he got his start in 1993 as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at his alma mater, Saint Michael’s College.
From 1996-1998, Sherard worked for Providence College, where he assumed the role of administrative assistant for the men’s basketball team. In the 1997-1998 season, Sherard helped see the Friars to a National Invitation Tournament title as well as secure a spot in the Elite Eight of the 1997 NCAA Tournament.
In 1999, Sherard accepted a position at the University of Virginia, where he served as both the director of operations as well as assistant coach for the men’s team under Pete Gillen until 2005.
During his time with the Lady Flames, Sherard helped lead the team to eight NCAA Tournaments as well as earn nine conference championship titles. Though Sherard has seen the team through much success, his focus expands much further than what happens on the court.
“Liberty Women’s Basketball will be a program where our student athletes thrive on the court, in the classroom and in their personal and spiritual development,” Sherard said in a press conference. “We will compete with passion, we will play with discipline, and we will carry ourselves in a way that honors the university’s mission and values.”
Despite entering a new era of Lady Flames Basketball, Sherard plans on maintaining the practices Green instilled, choosing to build off of the foundation.
“Coach Green has had an unbelievable formula. I am not here to reinvent the wheel,” Sherard said. “… The Liberty women’s program has been very successful over the years, and we are just trying to continue that.
Sherard anticipates a smooth transition for the team, as he played a key role in the support staff and is familiar with the team.
“After 18 years of sharing huddles, good games, bad games together, we are very like-minded,” Sherard said. “In the last 10 years, Coach Green has given me quite a bit of responsibility, so the ladies have heard my voice over the years.”
Now that Sherard has stepped into his new role of head coach, he is prepared to continue not only Green’s legacy, but also the mission of Liberty as he coaches the next generation of athletes.
“As I take this next step, my vision is clear: building Champions for Christ,” Sherard said. “… My goal is not just to win games, but to develop winners in life.”
White is the sports editor for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X.