Head coaches may come and go but Amber Shirey remains a fixture in Arkansas women’s basketball.
Shirey has had many roles, from student assistant, graduate assistant, assistant coach and director of operations over the years. In 2014-15, Shirey returned to the role of director of basketball operations for the Razorbacks and has held that position since. She approaches her 31st year on staff, 36th overall with the program in 2023-24.
In her position as director of operations, Shirey handles a variety of duties including travel, budgets and recruiting.
Shirey began her career at Arkansas as a player for the Razorbacks (1989-92) becoming the first women’s student-athlete selected to receive a NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. She closed her career as one of two players in school history to rank on four career total lists (points, 6th; rebounds, 10th; steals, 2nd; assists, 1st). Twice named All-Southwest Conference, she was the MVP of the 1991 SWC tournament, leading Arkansas to the first non-Texas title.
She also equaled her court performance in the classroom. A kinesiology major, she had over a 3.9 GPA, and twice was voted to the College Sports Information Directors of America’s Academic All-America Team. Shirey was a three-time conference academic team member.
Shirey graduated and went on to a student coaching role for one season before being named assistant coach, a position she held for 14 seasons with two different head coaches.
In 2007, Shirey redefined herself in a new role as executive director of operations, a position she held until returning to the sidelines as the Razorback assistant.
The former Amber Nicholas is married to Jason Shirey. The Shireys have three children, a son, Ross, and daughters, Reese and Rheid.
