At Illinois, coaching goes far beyond X’s and O’s. It’s about shaping character, fostering resolve, and building legacy on and off the field, course, or court. We wanted to go beyond the whistle with four of our head coaches: Bret Bielema (football), Shauna Green (women’s basketball), Tyra Perry (softball), and Mike Small (men’s golf). Each of these leaders brings a unique journey, a deep love for their sport, and an unwavering belief in the power of mentorship. Next in the series is Coach Green.

The interview below was condensed for length and clarity.

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What was the defining moment that made you fall in love with your sport?

There wasn’t one defining moment. As long as I can remember, I’ve loved basketball. From a young age, I have been playing basketball, watching basketball, and loving to compete. I’m from Clinton, Iowa, so back in my parents’ house, we had a group of our friends in the neighborhood, and all we did was play sports, particularly basketball. There used to be times we’d be in the driveway, most of my friends were boys, and someone would end up going home because we got in a fight. We were all so competitive. 

What were you like as a student-athlete?

I was an intense, super passionate, and fierce competitor. I absolutely despised losing, which sometimes probably got the best of me. You need that competitive spirit in you if you’re going to be successful at anything, whether basketball or whatever you choose to do. I was super intense and super passionate. I hated to lose more than I liked to win. 

What do you think you’d be doing today if you weren’t a coach? And why?

I’ve been asked that question a million times. It’s hard to think about what I would do if I weren’t a coach. It would involve basketball. I would probably use my degree in business marketing and be involved in the business side of sports. I think I’d enjoy that. There’s no way I could work and sit at a desk, at what I call a “normal job.” I thrive under pressure. I thrive in the sport. It’s what it is, my “why.” I think my purpose is to do this. I don’t want a plan B. So, I will keep coaching as long as I possibly can. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received as an athlete or coach?

My parents always said, “Work hard, good things will happen.” It’s very simple, but it stuck with me. I’ve always believed that success will come if you do what you’re supposed to do: work extremely hard and treat people the right way. You may have to wait. It won’t be there immediately. I carried that all the time — as a high school athlete, a college student-athlete, and then as I got into my first head coaching job at Loras College, a Division III school in Iowa. There, another coach told me to always be true to myself. You’ve got to remember your core values through the highs and lows. You’ve got to be true to that. Be you. Don’t change. Don’t try to be another coach. Don’t try to be someone else. 

Do you have a message for women’s basketball donors?

First off, I am so grateful to all our supporters. When I came here and took this job, I said it would take
everyone in the community. We have to do it together. I want our fans and supporters to know who we
are and what we’re about. I’m grateful to everyone who’s supported us through these three years and
will continue to support us. Next season, our team will look different. We graduated five seniors who
were the core of bringing this program back to national relevance. We were part of two NCAA
tournaments in three years and the 2024 WBIT champions. Now we have a ton of new kids and young
talent here, but that also brings a ton of excitement, because there’s so much newness to it, and it’s
fresh.