HEAD COACH JIM FLANERY

Jim Flanery begins his 23rd year as Creighton’s head coach in 2024-25 after taking the Bluejays to their third consecutive, and seventh overall, NCAA Tournament last season. Flanery is Creighton’s all-time victory leader, entering the season with a record of 427-268 (.614).

Flanery has guided Creighton to seven of the 10 NCAA Tournament appearances in women’s basketball history, reaching the Big Dance in 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023 and again in 2024. The 2021-22 campaign was historic for the Bluejays as Creighton reached the Elite Eight with victories over Colorado, at No. 8 Iowa and over No. 10 Iowa State. Creighton also reached the NCAA Second Round in 2013, 2017, 2018 and 2024 as well as claiming the program’s first BIG EAST regular-season title in 2017.  

Under Flanery, the Bluejays have reached 20 wins or more 12 times and have been to the postseason 18 times, including a stretch of 11 consecutive years from 2008-2018. Flanery also led Creighton to a pair of  appearances in the WNIT Final Four (2003 & 2004), capturing the 2004 WNIT Championship. Flanery has four conference titles, capturing the BIG EAST regular-season crown in 2017, Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championships in 2003 and 2013, and the 2012 MVC Tournament Championship. 

Prior to Flanery’s tenure, Creighton teams made 200 three-pointers in a single season twice. Including 2023-24, the Bluejays have eclipsed 200 treys in a season during 18 of his 22 campaigns at the helm, including a single-season record with 334 trifectas in 2021-22.

Flanery’s scheduling philosophy has always been to improve, you must face tough opposition. During Flanery’s 22 seasons, Creighton has played 59 ranked opponents, including five during the 2023-24 season. The dividends of his approach was never more apparent than during the Bluejays’ NCAA Tournament run in 2021-22. Creighton went into Carver-Hawkeye Arena as the No. 10 seed, upsetting Colorado and taking down No. 8 Iowa in front of over 14,000 fans in black and gold.

Flanery’s motion offense is built on forcing defenses to defend for long possessions. One of the driving forces in Creighton’s success in 2021-22 was the ability to share the basketball. The Bluejays led the nation in assists (668), assists per game (20.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.59). The Bluejays also shot the ball tremendously well, closing the season fifth in three-pointers made (334) and third in three-pointers per game (10.1)

Flanery’s engaging personality and exciting coaching style have made the Bluejays increasingly visible in the community. The Bluejays moved into D.J. Sokol Arena inside the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center prior to the 2009-10 season and have posted an impressive 145-51 record in the venue. 

Under Flanery, the Bluejays have compiled a 218-78 record at home. Fans have responded to the success, setting single-game and average attendance records. The top two home crowds and eight of the top-10 crowds in school history have come during Flanery’s reign. Fans set a home attendance record in 2002-03 with 1,861 fans per game.

Garnering athletic and academic notoriety is the standard set during the Flanery era. The Bluejays have been in the WBCA Academic Top-25 eight times, including a No. 4 ranking in 2010-11, a No. 5  ranking in the 2009-10, a No. 9 in 2017-18 and No. 14 in 2018-19. Three players have earned College Sports Communicators Academic All-America honors, highlighted by Morgan Maly claiming the recognition in 2023-24. Overall 18 players earned All-MVC First Team Scholar-Athletes under Flanery. The Bluejays’ success on the court was on display during the 2023-24 season as Creighton appeared in the final 16 and 18 of 20 Associated Press polls. 

During Flanery’s tenure Bluejay players have continued to earn individual accolades including All-American honors (Marissa Janning in 2014 and Jaylyn Agnew in 2020), All-Region (Janning in 2014), a Freshman All-American nod (Janning in 2013), two Preseason All-American honors (Angie Janis in 2005-06 and Christy Neneman in (2003-04), three conference Player of the Year awards (Neneman in 2003, Janning in 2014 and Agnew in 2020), three conference Freshman of the Year honors (Agnew in 2017, Janning in 2013 & Carli Tritz in 2011), a conference Newcomer of the Year (Megan Neuvirth in 2007), three Defensive Player of the Year honors (Laura Spanheimer in 2003 and 2004 as well as Neuvirth in 2009), 24 First Team All-Conference (MVC & BIG EAST) selections and in 2020 Agnew became the first Bluejay selected in the WNBA Draft. 

In addition, Spanheimer became the first player in MVC history to be named to the all-defensive team four times. Spanheimer also twice earned WNIT All-Tournament recognition. Neneman was tabbed the 2004 WNIT Most Valuable Player.

Flanery became the Bluejays head coach on July 19, 2002. He is the sixth head coach in women’s hoops history at Creighton, and just the third since 1980. He succeeded mentor, Connie Yori, who he had been on staff with since his graduate assistant days at Creighton in the late 1980s. 

Following graduation, Flanery joined former McCormick Endowed Director of Athletics Bruce Rasmussen’s Bluejay coaching staff as a graduate assistant for the 1987-88 season. He remained on the Creighton women’s basketball staff through the 1989-90 season, joining Yori at Loras College (Iowa) for two seasons prior to the 1990-91 season.

When Yori was tabbed as the head coach at Creighton prior to the 1992-93 season, Flanery once again joined forces to continue the winning tradition set by Rasmussen. As Yori’s top assistant, Flanery and the Bluejays notched a 170-115 record in a 10-year span. The Bluejays made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament and earned one trip to the WNIT.

A 1987 Creighton graduate with a BA in philosophy, Flanery was a member of the Bluejay men’s basketball team from 1985-87 and was also a member of the Creighton men’s golf team.  Flanery and his wife Emily have two children, Jackson and Brynn. Flanery is originally from Guthrie Center, Iowa.

Year-By-Year Recap

2023-24: 26-6 Overall, 15-3 BIG EAST (2nd) - NCAA Second Round

2022-23: 22-9 Overall, 12-6 BIG EAST (3rd) - NCAA First Round
Ranked #21 in the preseason AP poll, Creighton opened the year with seven straight wins. During the early surge the Bluejays took down #23 South Dakota State, #22 Nebraska and #25 Villanova. The Bluejays went on reach the NCAA Tournament for the sixth time under Jim Flanery and the second consecutive season. The Bluejays, however, fell to play-in winner Mississippi State 81-66. Creighton did not lead in the contest, shooting just 37.3 percent in the contest. A trio of Bluejays earned individual accolades as Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly were All-BIG EAST First Team selections, while Emma Ronsiek earned All-BIG EAST Honorable Mention.

2021-22: 23-10 Overall, 15-5 BIG EAST (3rd) - NCAA Elite Eight
The Bluejays delivered a historic run in the NCAA Tournament to cap the 2021-22 season. Entering the Big Dance as a No. 10 seed, Creighton upset Colorado 84-74. The Bluejays went on to upset No. 8 Iowa in front of a capacity crowd better than 14,000 at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The win over the Hawkeyes was featured on national television, lifting Creighton’s program to new heights. Creighton’s run continued with a neutral site win over No. 10 Iowa State before giving way to the eventual national champion South Carolina. Individually, Emma Ronsiek earned All-BIG EAST First Team, while Lauren Jensen and Morgan Maly collected BIG EAST Most Improved Player and Sixth Woman of the Year honors. Creighton closed the season as the NCAA leader in assists (668), assists per game (20.2) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.59).

2020-21: 10-12 Overall, 6-7 BIG EAST (6th) - WNIT
After beginning in late November, the COVID-19 season contained a little bit of everything. The Bluejays battled injuries to three starters, a month-long pause and even a game postponed after Creighton began warming up. Amidst the chaos Flanery was tasked with integrating a group of five freshmen. The highlight of the regular season were road victories over No. 19 DePaul (83-72 on Feb. 20) and at Seton Hall (77-76 in overtime on Feb. 13). Those triumphs helped give the Bluejays the confidence to deliver a pair of wins in the BIG EAST Tournament, downing Georgetown and Seton Hall to earn a spot in the WNIT. Creighton bested Bowling Green, before bowing out to Northern Iowa, 64-63 on March 20.

2019-20: 19-11 Overall, 11-7 BIG EAST (T-3rd)
Poised to return to the NCAA Tournament for the fifth time in nine seasons, the COVID-19 pandemic shortened a storybook season for the Bluejays. Senior Jaylyn Agnew closed her home campaign with a Bluejay single-game record 43 points in a Senior Day win, yet that was just one highlight. Playing without Agnew the Bluejays rallied from 20-point halftime deficit to defeat No. 11 DePaul 63-61 in Chicago on Jan. 31. Creighton also bested No. 23 West Virginia in the Cancun Challenge, 82-75,  and posted its fourth consecutive win over Nebraska (79-74 on Nov. 25). Agnew went on to earn the BIG EAST Player of the Year and put a bow on the season by becoming Creighton’s first WNBA Draft selection.

2018-19: 15-16 Overall, 8-10 BIG EAST (T-6th)
Overcoming injuries that limited the Bluejays depth, Creighton was the only team in the BIG EAST to knock off the top three seeds, downing No. 13 Marquette and No. 19 DePaul in the regular season as well as Butler in the BIG EAST Tournament. The Bluejays reached the BIG EAST Tournament Semifinals before bowing out to DePaul, ending Creighton’s run of 11 consecutive postseasons.

2017-18: 19-13 Overall, 11-7 BIG EAST (4th) - NCAA Second Round
The 2017-18 season was particularly gratifying for Flanery as the Bluejays returned to the NCAA Tournament. The route was far from linear as Creighton was one of eight bubble teams (four in and four out) announced the day before Selection Monday. During the show itself, the Bluejays were the final team from the eight announced. Once in the ‘Dance’, Creighton drew local scrimmage partner Iowa. The Bluejays’ upset victory over the Hawkeyes capped a season that saw Flanery capture his 300th win (a 69-54 win over No. 18 Villanova on Dec. 28, 2017). In addition Creighton went 5-1 in overtime contests during the 2017-18 campaign, claiming a four-overtime win at Drake and a pair of victories in double-overtime as well.

2016-17: 24-8 Overall, 16-2 BIG EAST (T-1st) - NCAA Second Round
Flanery and the Bluejays claimed the program’s first BIG EAST regular-season crown in 2016-17. Another reason the 2016-17 season was special, the Bluejays cracked the AP Poll as well as the USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time since 1992, checking in at No. 23 in the March 6 AP Poll. Despite a 1-3 start, the Bluejays posted a 24-8 record including a 76-49 win over Toledo in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament.

2015-16: 17-18 Overall, 8-10 BIG EAST (T-5th) - WNIT First Round
Creighton battled through an injury-plagued 2015-16 season to reach the BIG EAST Tournament championship game before falling to  St. John’s in the final. The three victories in the BIG EAST Tournament allowed the Bluejays to become eligible for WNIT play, where Creighton fell to eventual champion South Dakota.

2014-15: 17-14 Overall, 10-8 BIG EAST (T-5th) - WNIT First Round
The Bluejays second season in the BIG EAST featured five freshmen on the roster. Despite having such a young squad, Creighton reached the WNIT, falling at South Dakota in the opening round.

2013-14: 20-14 Overall, 12-6 BIG EAST (T-3rd) - WNIT Second Round
In their first year as a member of the BIG EAST, the Bluejays defeated each of their nine new conference foes at least once. The Bluejays battled their way to the semifinals of the BIG EAST Tournament and closed the season in the second round of the WNIT at South Dakota State.

2012-13: 25-8 Overall, 12-6 MVC (T-1st) - NCAA Second Round
The Bluejays posted 25 wins for the first time under Flanery, while also collecting the third NCAA victory in program  history, a 61-56 win over No. 22 Syracuse. Creighton earned just its second NCAA at-large berth in program history, claiming a share of the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship. The 2012-13 season also featured a home victory over No. 25 Nebraska (66-57 on Dec. 5) and a 17-point comeback win over BYU at the home of the Utah Jazz. In addition, Creighton claimed a tournament championship in Cancun by downing Miami (Ohio) and South Florida and also posted an  undefeated home record in MVC play. Flanery reached two personal milestones in 2012-13, surpassing Bruce Rasmussen as Creighton’s all-time victory leader with his 197th win on Dec. 21 over Miami (Ohio) and claiming his 200th win on
Jan. 5 at Southern Illinois.

2011-12: 20-13 Overall, 11-7 MVC (4th) - NCAA First Round
The Bluejays delivered an impressive effort against No. 14 St. John’s in the 2012 NCAA Tournament. Despite falling to the Red Storm, 69-67, Creighton forced its future BIG EAST Conference rival into a last-second dash to the basket and a tear-drop bucket to secure the win. The Bluejays posted wins in eight of their final 10 games, earning Creighton’s first NCAA Tournament appearance under Flanery with a run to the MVC Tournament Championship featuring wins over Northern Iowa, Missouri State and Drake in the final.

2010-11: 18-13 Overall, 11-7 MVC (T-2nd) - WNIT First Round
Powered by an 8-1 home record in MVC play, the Bluejays played their way into a crowded three-way tie for second. Tiebreakers, however, forced the Bluejays into the No. 4 seed and a first round loss to Wichita State. Creighton also dropped the opening game in the WNIT at Northwestern. 

2009-10: 21-11 Overall, 13-5 MVC (2nd) - WNIT Second Round
The Bluejays recorded their third straight 20-win season, reaching their second straight MVC Tournament Final and third in a four-year span. Creighton, however, suffered a one-point setback to Northern Iowa and fell to Kansas in the WNIT Second Round.

2008-09: 22-12 Overall, 14-4 MVC (2nd) - WNIT Second Round
Creighton closed the season winning 20 of its final 26 games after a 2-6 start to the year. The Bluejays put together a school-record 11 straight MVC wins (Jan. 8 - Feb. 14), but fell 47-45 to Evansville in the MVC Tournament Final. Creighton downed UC Riverside by double-digits in the WNIT first round, but fell at Kansas in the second round.

2007-08: 21-12 Overall, 12-6 MVC (4th) - WNIT Second Round
Flanery and the Bluejays fell one win short of a shared MVC regular-season title, advancing to the WNIT. Their 21-12 record marked an eight-win improvement, the 15th-best tur around in the nation that year. Flanery earned his 100th head coaching victory against Indiana State on Jan. 31, 2008. The Bluejays followed that victory by  topping No. 24 Illinois State on the Redbirds’ home court on Feb. 2.

2006-07: 13-19 Overall, 8-10 MVC (6th)
The highlight of the 2006-07 campaign came in a run to the MVC Finals as the Bluejays upset Indiana State and Illinois State to set up a matchup with Drake. Despite forcing overtime, Creighton fell to the Bulldogs by one point, 65-64.

2005-06: 8-21 Overall, 5-13 MVC (T-9th)
After opening MVC play 4-0, the Bluejays fell on hard times with 13 straight setbacks. A win in the regular-season finale over Northern Iowa propelled Creighton to a opening round victory over Southern Illinois in the MVC Tournament.

2004-05: 19-10 Overall, 13-5 MVC (T-2nd) - WNIT First Round
Flanery engineered 19 wins and a third straight invite to the WNIT. Creighton went 3-0 against Big 12 teams, downing Nebraska, Kansas and Colorado, and put together an eight-game winning streak during the heart of the season.

2003-04: 24-9 Overall, 15-3 MVC (2nd) - WNIT Champions
Flanery and the Bluejays concluded the 2003-04 season by claiming the first national postseason tournament title in school history. Their 5-0 run through the postseason was capped by a 73-52 rout of UNLV at the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The Bluejays became the first team from the MVC to win the WNIT. Flanery’s team set a then-WNIT record by making 44 three-point field goals, while shooting 89.9 percent (71-for-79) from the free throw line in the event.

2002-03: 24-9 Overall, 13-5 MVC (T-1st) - WNIT Semifinals
Flanery posted the best rookie season by a head coach in school and MVC history, leading Creighton to its second consecutive Valley regular-season title and a WNIT semifinal appearance. His 24 wins surpassed his predecessor, Connie Yori, for the most successful rookie coaching campaign in school history. His win total also made him the most successful first-year coach in conference history, topping Lisa Stone’s 23 wins at Drake in 2000-01. He went on to tie Stone, following the 2003-04 season, for the best two-year start in league history, with 48 victories.