Former Division I standout Kristin (Drabyn) Wodrich enters her fifth season as the UIndy head coach in 2020-21.
After earning her first head coaching position in the spring of 2016, Wodrich guided the Greyhounds to a seven-win improvement in 2016-17. UIndy compiled a 17-14 mark overall, culminating in an appearance in the GLVC Tournament semifinals. The record marked a sharp turnaround from the previous two seasons that saw the Hounds endure their first consecutive losing seasons since 1999.
Defense was the Greyhounds’ calling card in Wodrich’s debut season. UIndy surrendered just 60.2 points per game, the third-lowest total in the GLVC and 58th-best in all of Division II. The Greyhounds held opponents to 60 points or fewer in 17 of the their 31 games on the year.
Wodrich and the Greyhounds had one of their best seasons yet in 2019-20, earning a 19-10 overall record and the sixth seed in the GLVC Tournament. The record marked the highest win total during Wodrich’s tenure, including their 12-8 record within the confernece.
One of the Greyhounds’ biggest wins of the year came on Jan. 26, 2017 when UIndy shot 66 percent from the floor in an 80-65 win over No. 11-ranked Bellarmine, snapping a 17-game losing streak against nationally-ranked opponents. It was the first of two wins over a nationally-ranked conference rival, as the Greyhounds dominated No. 21 Southern Indiana in a 66-48 win in the quarterfinals of the GLVC Tournament.
A native of nearby Avon, Ind, Wodrich took over after spending the previous thre
e years as an assistant coach at crosstown IUPUI. Wodrich served as the recruiting coordinator under head coach Austin Parkinson, as well as the academic liaison, head of guard player development and the manager of opponent scouting responsibilities.With Wodrich on staff, the Jaguars recorded a 59-37 record, setting a single-season program mark with 23 wins in 2013-14. Following a 15-16 season in 2014-15, the Jags finished 21-11 in 2015-16, which included a trip to the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) that saw IUPUI garner its second-ever tournament win.
“I would like to thank Dr. Willey and the hiring committee for giving me this tremendous opportunity at the University of Indianapolis,” Wodrich said at the time of her hiring. “UIndy is a special place and I cannot express my excitement enough to be a part of the Greyhound family. I have a passion for teaching the game of basketball, and I bring high energy with everything I do. I want the players to feel that every day. It is truly an honor to be the head coach at a university in my home state that has established itself on a national level athletically and academically.”
“It takes a special person to meet the needs of our student-athletes, coaches and administrative staff, but this search ended with a unanimous vote of support for Kristin.” said Dr. Sue Willey, Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics. “Her enthusiasm and deep sense of dedication and determination for this position stood out among her other excellent qualities. Kristin will be a great fit for our department and university. We are thrilled that she will be leading our women’s basketball team back to the success that is expected of all of our UIndy programs.”
Prior to returning home to Central Indiana, Wodrich served as the head assistant coach at her alma mater, the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), from 2011-13. While assisting head coach Phil Stern, Wodrich had a number of duties at UMBC, inlcuding serving as the program’s recruiting coordinator, head of player development, lead opponent scout, academic liaison and head of alumni relations.
Before joining the UMBC staff, she assisted 12-time Patriot League Champion head coach Bill Gibbons at the College of Holy Cross in 2010-11 where she helped out with scouting, recruiting, practice planning, guard development and video coordination.
Wodrich broke into the coaching community in July 2008 when she was named a graduate assistant at Texas Tech University, where she assisted with the day-to-day operations, video responsibilities and the organization of summer camps. She graduated from Texas Tech with her Master’s degree in sport management in 2010.
As a player at UMBC, Wodrich was a four-year letter winner for the Retrievers from 2004-2008 and helped guide the team to the 2007 America East championship and a spot in the NCAA Divisoin I Tournament. She was named to the America East All-Conference Third Team as a senior in 2008 after averaging 11.4 points per game. She graduated in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with a focus in broadcast communications and exercise physiology.
What others are saying about Kristin Wodrich:
"The University of Indianapolis has made an awesome hire in Kristin Drabyn! She is a bright, young star in our profession who possesses an incredible work ethic and passion for the game of basketball. She is a tremendous role model and leader for young women. No question Greyhound basketball has hired a winner!"
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Kristy Curry, Head Women's Basketball Coach, University of Alabama
"I am incredibly proud and excited for Kristin as she gets this opportunity to run her own program. Her knowledge of the game, heart for others and passion for teaching will make an immediate impact at UIndy. Although she will be missed as a colleague, we will be rooting her on from just up the road."
– Austin Parkinson, Head Women's Basketball Coach, IUPUI
"I am so happy for Kristin. She is a tireless worker and outstanding recruiter who exemplifies the highest of character in our profession. Her enthusiasm for the game of basketball will permeate throughout the athletic department, and I expect great things in the near future for the UIndy Greyhounds."
– Bill Brock, Associate Head Women's Basketball Coach, Baylor University
"The University of Indianapolis is getting an awesome coach and an even better person to lead their program. Kristin Drabyn is an authentic source of positivity and will bring great energy to every aspect of her role as Head Coach. Her players will learn so much from her and she will set a tremendous example for them with her incredible work ethic just as she did when she was a player. I am excited to follow her on this journey."
– Katie Rokus, Assistant Women's Basketball Coach, University of Cincinnati
