Brown: Players surprised at Owens' resignation

Northern Illinois guard Bianca Brown said members of the women's basketball team were taken aback by the news that head coach Carol Owens was resigning.

"The timing was very unexpected and we were kind of thrown off," Brown said. "This was an unexpected change. Nobody really thought it was going to happen. But at the same time, everything happens for a reason. Were we thrown off? Was it unexpected? Yeah. But at the same time, we try and understand everyone's situation and just move forward no matter what.

"Coach Owens made it clear that she was making this decision for her personal well-being and that it was not a decision that was forced but more so chosen. I know coach Owens is a great person and she definitely takes her role as a head coach very seriously, especially at this program, so I know that if she made this choice, it must have been very important for her so we've tried to keep that in mind."

Brown said she would like to see one of the current assistant coaches stay around whether as an assistant or elevated to head coach and that NIU Director of Athletics Jeff Compher said he will listen to the players if they have questions, comments or concerns about the coaching search.

Look for more Saturday on HuskieWire or in Saturday's Daily Chronicle.