McMurry University Athletics looked to one of its own when Brittany Densman-Roes was selected to guide the War Hawks’ women's basketball program on May 18, 2015. She enters her seventh season at the helm in 2021-22.
In 2017-18, Densman-Roes was named as the American Southwest Conference West Division "Coach of the Year" after guiding McM to a second place finish in the division and its first winning record since 2011-12. The War Hawks went 13-12 overall and were 11-6 in the ASC West. Sham Hunter and Skyler Reyna were both first team All-ASC West selections, with Hunter also garnering the division's Defensive Player of the Year honor. Monica Jones was the ASC West Newcomer of the Year, as well.
In the 2018-19 and 2019-20 seasons, Roes' program produced six all-conference honorees, including back-to-back selections for decorated forward Skyler Reyna. Reyna also finished her career as McMurry's third all-time leading scorer at 1,449 points and second all-time leading rebounder at 939 rebounds. In 2020-21, McMurry had three all-conference selections in Destiny Mathews, Aubrey Guerra and Trinity Meador.
The 2018-19 season also marked McMurry's first ASC Championship tournament appearance since returning to NCAA Division III play, sealing a spot in the tournament with a thrilling 80-78 win over Sul Ross State one game before the season finale. Prior to that season, McMurry's last appearance was in 2011-12.
McM was 3-22 in her inaugural campaign in 2015-16 and with a youthful roster, but worked to a six win improvement in 2016-17. McM senior Taylor Russell earned an armload of honors, both on the court and in the classroom for Densman-Roes' team. Her team earned the ASC's Team Sportsmanship Award.
In 2016-17, McMurry improved to 9-15 overall and went 6-11 in its return to the ASC race. The War Hawks were once again honored with the ASC Team Sportsmanship Award.
Densman-Roes is no stranger to the War Hawks’ faithful, spending a total of four seasons as an assistant coach for McM during what is arguably the program’s most successful span. Densman-Roes’ first three campaigns were under McM’s all-time winningest head coach, Sam Nichols. She also played two seasons for McMurry from 2002-04 under Nichols.
While Densman-Roes was an on McMurry’s staff, the team had a combined record of 94-22 (.810) and made three-consecutive appearances in the NCAA Division III post-season (2005-08). The team made the American Southwest Conference championship game all four years, winning the title in 2005-06. That year McMurry also set a school record by opening the season with 18-consecutive victories.
As a player, Densman-Roes’ teams were 27-23 during her two seasons. As a senior in 2003-04, she was second on the team in both scoring (11.9 p.p.g.) and rebounds (6.1 r.p.g.). She also averaged 2.5 assists per game. She was also a CoSIDA Academic All-District selection.
She was also a member of McMurry’s track team under legendary head coach Barbara Crousen, earning all-conference accolades.
Most recently, Densman-Roes has spent the past three years (2012-15) as a physical education teacher at Wylie High School, where she also assisted with both the girls basketball and track programs. From 2008-12, she was the head girls basketball coach at Baird High School (amassing a 74-51 record).
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be reunited with my McMurry family and extremely excited to be leading the women's basketball program,” Densman-Roes said in 2015. “I want to thank everyone who had a hand in the hiring process from the search committee, to Sam Ferguson and Dr. Harper, to my past professors, advisors, and now colleagues.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to all the coaches who inspired, encouraged, guided, and instilled vital qualities of leadership in me. My goal is to make a difference at McMurry because McMurry made a difference in me. Finally, I am blessed to continue to do something that I love and honored to be a part of the War Hawks’ athletic program."
Densman-Roes earned her Bachelor of Science degree in multidisciplinary studies from McMurry University in 2004. She also holds a master’s degree in counseling and human development from Hardin-Simmons University (2006).
Densman-Roes resides in Tuscola with her husband, Lee Roes. The couple has three children, Avery, Cooper and Britton.
WATCH: "A Walk With The War Hawks" - Brittany Desnman-Roes
