Carey Green announces retirement; Alexis Sherard to take over as Liberty Women’s Basketball head coach

The winningest coach in Liberty Athletics history, Carey Green announced his retirement as Liberty Women’s Basketball head coach on Thursday. Longtime Assistant Coach Alexis Sherard will take over as the seventh head coach in Liberty Women’s Basketball history.

Green spent 26 seasons as Liberty’s head coach, racking up 31 conference titles (15 regular-season, 16 conference tournament). He coached the Lady Flames to 15 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship appearances, headlined by a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2005, along with four postseason WNIT bids.

Green closed out his career on a high note, leading the Lady Flames to their first CUSA regular-season and tournament titles in 2024-25 and a near upset of Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament first round.

The 2024-25 campaign marked Green’s 20th 20-win season at Liberty. His career record of 591-240 makes him the winningest coach all-time at Liberty in any sport.

“Over the years, I’ve been truly blessed to serve within a Christ-centered community that has supported, encouraged and inspired me to pursue excellence in all things,” Green said. “I am profoundly grateful for the strong leadership and steadfast backing of the Liberty University administration, whose vision and commitment to Christ-centered excellence have made this place a very special and enduring ministry.” 

“I have also been honored to work alongside an extraordinary staff – colleagues whose dedication, skill and shared mission have been a constant source of motivation. Their commitment to doing things with integrity, purpose and love for the student-athletes has been nothing short of remarkable.”

The 2019 FCA Kay Yow Heart of a Coach Award winner, Green also earned five Big South Coach of the Year awards and six VaSID State Coach of the Year nods.

Green coached some of the best players in program history, headlined by a trio who made it to the WNBA – Katie Feenstra, Megan Frazee, and Avery Warley.

Green’s squads also excelled in the classroom, as evidenced by five WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll appearances. Megan Frazee, Ashley Rininger, and Kristal Tharp all earned CSC Academic All-America distinction under Green’s guidance.

“I have had the privilege to coach and mentor some amazing players,” he said. “You are truly outstanding. Your dedication, discipline and willingness to be not only Champions on the court but also Champions for Christ impacting the world has been an inspiration to me. You’ve embodied the truth that victory is not just measured in wins, but in the way we live, serve, honor, and glorify God.”

“As I step into the next season of life, I carry with me the memories, the lessons and the relationships that have shaped my time at Liberty University. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve in this role. And I’m grateful beyond words for the blessings God has poured out through this opportunity and community.

Sherard spent the last 18 seasons as part of Green’s coaching staff (10 as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and eight as associate head coach), tying him with Andy Bloodworth as the longest-tenured assistants in program history.

The Lady Flames have reached the postseason 12 times since Sherard joined the staff prior to the 2007-08 campaign, including eight NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship appearances and four Postseason WNIT berths.

“For 26 years, Coach Green has been the heart and soul of this program, leading with integrity, passion and deep commitment to student-athlete development on and off the court,” Sherard said. “His legacy is one of excellence and impact, and I want to thank him for laying such a strong foundation.”

“Taking the helm after someone of his caliber is both humbling and exciting. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build on the program’s tradition while bringing my own vision to its next chapter.”

Sherard has successfully filled in as acting head coach on several occasions during his time at Liberty. He guided the Lady Flames to a 6-0 record during part of the 2020-21 season when Green was sidelined by health issues. Sherard also coached Liberty to victory in the 2013 Big South Championship quarterfinals while Green was attending his father’s funeral.

Sherard has spent more than three decades in the collegiate basketball ranks, beginning on the men’s side. Sherard spent time as a men’s basketball assistant at Saint Michael’s (his alma mater), Binghamton, Virginia and Liberty prior to joining Green’s staff.

“After 26 years of faithful and exemplary service, Coach Green leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the scoreboard,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Ian McCaw.

“Alexis Sherard is well equipped and prepared to build on the strong foundation of Liberty women’s basketball and lead the program into the future.”

Read an article on Carey Green’s storied career and ministry in the Liberty Journal.