Long time Liberty women’s basketball coach Carey Green has announced his retirement effective immediately, the school announced in a release Thursday.
Green spent 26 seasons roaming the sidelines as the head coach for the Lady Flames, amassing a career record of 591-240. He led Liberty to the Big South Championship and NCAA Tournament in each of his first 10 seasons including a Sweet 16 appearance in 2005.
Green ends his career as the winningest coach in Liberty Athletics history, regardless of sport. He won 31 conference titles in his 26 seasons (15 regular season, 16 conference tournament). He coached the Lady Flames to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and four Postseason WNIT bids.
Current Liberty assistant Alexis Sherard has been elevated to Liberty’s head coach. Sherard is entering his 19th season on staff with the Lady Flames. He becomes the seventh head coach in Liberty women’s basketball history.
Sherard spent the last 18 seasons as part of Green’s coaching staff (10 as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator and eight as associate head coach. He filled in as acting head coach on several occasions during his time at Liberty, guiding the Lady Flames to a 6-0 record during part of the 2020-21 season when Green was sidelined by health issues. Sherard also coached Liberty to victory in the 2013 Big South Championship quarterfinals while Green was attending his father’s funeral.
Sherard has spent more than three decades coaching in college basketball, beginning on the men’s side. He was an assistant for Liberty’s men’s team before joining Green’s staff.
Green closed out his career by helping lead the Lady Flames to their first CUSA regular season and tournament title this past season. Liberty and Green also nearly upset Kentucky in the first round of the Big Dance.
Green won five Big South Coach of the Year awards and six VaSID State Coach of the Year awards. He coached some of the best players in program history, headlined by a trio who made it to the WNBA – Katie Feenstra, Megan Frazee and Avery Warley.
Quotes from the school’s release on Green’s retirement:
Carey Green:
“After much prayer and reflection, I’m writing to formally announce my retirement as Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Liberty University effective Sept. 15, 2025.
“Over the years, I’ve been truly blessed to serve within a Christ-centered community that has supported, encouraged and inspired me to pursue excellence in all things. I am profoundly grateful for the strong leadership and steadfast backing of the Liberty University administration, whose vision and commitment to Christ-centered excellence have made this place a very special and enduring ministry.
“I have also been honored to work alongside an extraordinary staff – colleagues whose dedication, skill and shared mission have been a constant source of motivation. Their commitment to doing things with integrity, purpose and love for the student-athletes has been nothing short of remarkable.
“I have had the privilege to coach and mentor some amazing players. You are truly outstanding. Your dedication, discipline and willingness to be not only Champions on the court but also Champions for Christ impacting the world has been an inspiration to me. You’ve embodied the truth that victory is not just measured in wins, but in the way we live, serve, honor and glorify God.
“Denise, my trophy wife, along with other family members who have encouraged and supported every step of this storyline, are the blessings that made this dream work. I am forever grateful.
“As I step into the next season of life, I carry with me the memories, the lessons and the relationships that have shaped my time at Liberty University. It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to serve in this role. And I’m grateful beyond words for the blessings God has poured out through this opportunity and community.
“To God be the Glory!”
Alexis Sherard:
“It is an incredible honor to step into the role of Head Coach for the Women’s Basketball program following the retirement of Coach Green.
“For 26 years, Coach Green has been the heart and soul of this program, leading with integrity, passion and deep commitment to student-athlete development on and off the court. His legacy is one of excellence and impact, and I want to thank him for laying such a strong foundation.
“Taking the helm after someone of his caliber is both humbling and exciting. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to build on the program’s tradition while bringing my own vision to its next chapter.”
Ian McCaw:
“After 26 years of faithful and exemplary service, Coach Green leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond the scoreboard.
“He ran the race in such a way as to change lives and strengthen the faith of his student-athletes. He departs as the winningest coach in school history, in any sport, and his teams captured 31 conference championships during his extraordinary career. We wish Coach Green and Denise the very best in retirement.
” Alexis Sherard is well equipped and prepared to build on the strong foundation of Liberty women’s basketball and lead the program into the future.
“Coach Sherard embraces the mission of Liberty University to train champions for Christ, and the high standards for competitive and academic excellence of the Lady Flames.”
