After over 36 seasons in coaching, including 26 as a head coach, Connie Yori has announced her retirement just before the 2024-25 season at Creighton.
Yori’s involvement in women’s basketball began as a player for Creighton from 1982-86. As one of the Bluejays’ standout players, she was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992 and is one of only two Creighton players with their number retired in D.J. Sokol Arena. She graduated in 1986 as Creighton’s all-time leading scorer with 2,010 points, a record now third in school history. She also remains in the top-10 for scoring average (1st – 20.3 ppg), rebounds (8th – 746), assists (7th – 399), steals (2nd – 292), field goals made (2nd – 797), field goal percentage (5th – 54.2%), and free throws made (2nd – 416).
Creighton head coach Jim Flanery expressed gratitude for Yori’s contributions: “Connie’s return has significantly impacted our program. From her time as a student to now, her influence on Creighton is unparalleled. She has been a dear friend and mentor. We’re thrilled to have had her with us these past seven seasons and wish her the best in her retirement. She’ll always be part of Creighton.”
Yori reflected on her time at Creighton: “Being part of Creighton Women’s basketball, one of the nation’s most respected programs, has been an honor. Contributing to this team and working with such talented student-athletes and staff over the past seven years has been a privilege. I am grateful to Coach Flanery for providing a role that balanced my coaching with being a mother. Flan and I have been friends for 40 years, and ending my career here has been immensely enjoyable.”
Yori began her coaching career as Creighton’s assistant coach from 1986-89. She then coached at Loras College (1990-92), led Creighton (1992-2002), spent 14 seasons at Nebraska (2002-16), and served as a program advisor for the Bluejays for the last seven seasons.
As one of the nation’s most decorated women’s basketball coaches, Yori amassed a 475-306 record as a head coach, including a 170-115 record with the Bluejays. She led nine teams to the NCAA Tournament, including Sweet 16 appearances in 2010 and 2013, and was named National Coach of the Year in 2010. She also received Coach of the Year honors in the Missouri Valley (2002), Big 12 (2010), and Big Ten (2013 & 2014).
Including her advisory role, Yori contributed to 13 NCAA Tournament runs and 655 victories as a coach, along with 76 wins as a player.
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