SENATOBIA – Longtime Northwest assistant Shane Oakley has been officially promoted to the role of head men's basketball coach, school officials announced late Wednesday afternoon.

"Coach Oakley's knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm was easily seen by anyone who came to support our men's basketball team this season," Northwest president Dr. Michael Heindl said. "He did a great job in leading our student athletes to an overall winning season and I am excited about Coach Oakley leading our men's basketball program to new heights in this important leadership role."

"I want to thank Dr. Heindl and Dr. Matthew Domas for having the faith in me to lead this tradition-rich program," Oakley said. "I hope to continue the success of those that have come before me and set the bar high. I want to thank the many coaches and players who have played a pivotal role in this journey. This is my dream job and where I want to spend the rest of my career."

Oakley had recently been serving as the interim men's coach throughout the 2018-19 season following the departure of former head coach Bubba Skelton. Under his direction, the Rangers finished the season at 12-10 overall and 5-7 in the MACJC North, falling just short of a postseason berth with a short-handed roster.

From 2012-18, Oakley played a vital role as assistant men's coach, helping Skelton and the Rangers to a 96-47 overall record, 36-24 MACJC North Division record, five MACJC Tournament appearances and four NJCAA Region 23 Tournament berths. In that time, he helped Northwest to a pair of runner-up finishes in Region 23 (2012-13) and the MACJC North Division (2015-16) and more recently, an MACJC North Division championship and an overall runner-up finish in the conference during the 2017-18 campaign.

Before coming to Northwest, Oakley served under Skelton at Jones College, helping the Bobcats to a 12-13 overall mark and appearances in both the MACJC and Region 23 tournaments during the 2011-12 season.

Prior to his one year at Jones, Oakley was the women's and men's basketball assistant from 2004-11 at Northwest where he enjoyed success with both programs. The men posted a 95-75 mark and the women were 115-75 during his previous seven seasons in Senatobia.

Oakley helped the men's team to an MACJC championship during the 2004-05 season and back-to-back Region 23 championships and NJCAA Tournament appearances from 2004-06 with Skelton, and on the women's side, captured another region title and NJCAA Tournament appearance in 2004-05 alongside Don Edwards.

Prior to Northwest, Oakley spent one season as the men's and women's assistant at Mississippi Delta. His first coaching job came as a graduate assistant at Delta State during the 2002-03 season.

A Senatobia native, Oakley received his bachelor's and master's degrees in health and physical education from Delta State. He is the twin brother of Ranger football assistant coach, Scott Oakley.

Shane Oakley Through the Years
2018-19 • Interim Head Coach, Northwest Mississippi
2012-18 • Assistant Coach, Northwest Mississippi 
2011-12 • Assistant Coach, Jones College 
2004-11 • Assistant Coach (M/W), Northwest Mississippi 
2003-04 • Assistant Coach (M/W), Mississippi Delta
2002-03 • Graduate Assistant Coach, Delta State