Bio

Nate Oakland will begin his first season as the head coach for the Kirkwood Eagle Women's Basketball Team. Oakland, a 21-year collegiate coaching veteran, joins Kirkwood after completing his fourth season on the staff at the University of Northern Iowa, where he served as an assistant coach under Tanya Warren. His time at UNI marked his second stint with the Panthers, having previously coached there from 2006 to 2009.

Prior to returning to UNI, Oakland served as the head women's basketball coach at Upper Iowa University for three seasons. During his tenure, he guided the Peacocks to steady improvement each year, more than doubling the team's win total by his third season. He also recruited and developed multiple NSIC All-Freshman Team selections, including future First Team All-NSIC performer Lydia Haack.

Oakland's coaching résumé also includes time as an assistant coach at North Dakota State University, along with multiple successful stints at Coe College. While serving as head coach at Coe, he led the Kohawks to 27 wins and a Final Four appearance in the IIAC Tournament in 2017, coaching three All-IIAC First Team selections. His earlier coaching stops include Wartburg College and the University of Minnesota Morris, where he also gained experience coaching tennis and golf programs.

In addition to his coaching accomplishments, Oakland brings extensive classroom experience, having taught courses in sport management, sports psychology, kinesiology, and coaching theory. His commitment to developing student-athletes both academically and athletically aligns closely with Kirkwood's mission.

A native of Cedar Falls, Iowa, Oakland is a graduate of the University of Northern Iowa, earning both his bachelor's and master's degrees in sports psychology. He and his wife, former UNI women's basketball Hall of Famer Alex Cook-Oakland, have five children: Jordann, Quinncy, Eli, Kaiden, and Maddox.