HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – Northern Kentucky women's basketball head coach Camryn Whitaker announced the addition of Lester Rowe, who was a standout student-athlete at West Virginia before joining the coaching staffs of both the Mountaineers' men's and women's programs. 
 
"I'm thrilled to be able to join the Northern Kentucky University family, and the women's basketball program in particular," said Rowe. "There's no doubt in my mind that this program is capable of taking big strides and doing great things, and I'm excited to work with Coach Whitaker and the rest of the staff and program in reaching our goals. I also want to thank Director of Athletics Ken Bothof and the rest of the administration for valuable insight and leadership through the process of learning all that Northern Kentucky University has to offer."
 
Whitaker added, "We are thrilled to add Coach Rowe to our NKU family! His experience and knowledge, both as a former collegiate athlete and long-time assistant at a high level, is going to have an immediate impact in our program. Lester is an excellent coach, but an even better person, and we are excited that he and his family decided to join us!"
 
Rowe spent the last eight seasons as an assistant coach for the Mountaineers and was an integral part of one of the most successful runs in program history as West Virginia had seven-straight winning seasons, including six 20-win campaigns, a regular-season Big 12 Championship, a Big 12 Tournament Championship and five NCAA Tournament appearances. In addition to opponent scouting reports and scout team preparation, Rowe was responsible for the recruitment and/or development of seven All-Big 12 selections, with four going on to the WNBA Draft. Highlighting those draft picks is Bria Holmes, a two-time All-America Honorable Mention and first-round draft pick in 2016.
 
Prior to serving as the women's assistant coach, Rowe spent five seasons with the men's program from 1997-2002. During that span, the Mountaineers posted 73 wins and took a trip to the Sweet 16 in 1998. Rowe recruited and/or developed seven All-Big East selections during his tenure with the men's program, including three-time honoree Damian Owens.
 
Rowe's coaching career followed an illustrious career at West Virginia from 1981-85. He helped lead the Mountaineers to three Atlantic 10 championships and was the A-10 Tournament MVP as a junior. Rowe is a member of the 1976-85 WVU all-time basketball team and was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 2014. Following his collegiate career, Rowe spent eight seasons playing professionally in Argentina, the Philippines, Venezuela, France, Germany and the US.