UNLV women’s basketball loses Lindy La Rocque’s top assistant

UNLV women’s basketball coach Lindy La Rocque officially said goodbye to one of her top staffers Tuesday.

Roman Owen is leaving the Lady Rebels to become the next coach of Quinnipiac’s women’s basketball team, both teams announced.

Owen was on La Rocque’s original UNLV staff when she was hired in 2020 and got promoted to associate head coach in 2022.

In the last six seasons, Owen helped La Rocque turn UNLV into a force in the Mountain West, winning four regular-season titles and three conference tournament championship trophies.

“There is no one more excited for Roman and his family than me. He has been an instrumental piece to everything we have done at UNLV and we do not reach our success without him,” La Rocque said in a statement. “His leadership and experience has impacted our program in every area.

“While we are sad to see him go, he is more than ready to lead the Bobcats. We wish him and his team the most success. Quinnipiac could not have made a better hire!”

Owen will replace Tricia Fabbri, who announced her retirement earlier this month after 31 seasons in charge of the Bobcats. She led the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances and the Sweet 16 in 2017.

Before UNLV, Owen worked as assistant at Yale, recruiting coordinator at Tulsa, and assistant at North Texas.

In the release from Quinnipiac, he said he “can’t wait to hit the ground running.”

In addition to replacing Owen, La Rocque and her staff are also tasked with tackling the recruiting landscape with four Lady Rebels in the transfer portal.