Kara Wile
Assistant Coach
Fifth Year
(Saint Louis, 2000)

Kara Wile, a former Saint Louis University and Indiana High School basketball standout, is in her fifth season as an assistant coach on the Youngstown State women’s basketball staff.

Wile joined Tisha Hill on the Youngstown State women’s basketball staff when Hill was named head coach in 2003 and is entering her seventh season of coaching overall.

Wile, who is entering her fourth season as the Penguins’ recruiting coordinator, works primarily with developing the guards and perimeter players for the Penguins. She also coordinates the recruiting, scouting and scheduling for the program.

Last season, Wile helped develop Heather Karner, who led the team with 10.9 points per game, into a Horizon League All-Newcomer Team selection. Also, junior Velissa Vaughn ranked second in the Horizon League with a 46.7 3-point percentage against league foes.

In 2004-05, Wile mentored first-year point guard Lauren Branson, who led the Horizon League with 159 assists and 5.7 assists per game and was named to the Horizon League All-Newcomer Team. Branson also ranked second in the league with an assist-to-turnover ratio of 1.75.

Wile spent two seasons coaching in the Missouri Valley Conference at Southern Illinois and Indiana State. Prior to arriving in Youngstown, Wile helped guide Pike High School in Indianapolis to a 20-3 record and a No. 3 state ranking.

At Indiana State, Wile worked with the Sycamore perimeter players, coordinated team travel and practice schedules and on-campus recruiting.
With the Salukis, Wile’s responsibilities included working with the perimeter players, coordinating film exchange, community outreach and promotions.

As the Billikens’ starting point guard and team captain, Wile led Saint Louis in assists and holds the school record for career assists with 520. As a senior in December of 1999, Wile was the Division I leader in assists averaging 11.0 per contest.

A native of Anderson Ind., Wile received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Saint Louis University in 2000 and her master’s degree in physical education/coaching from Ball State in 2005.

The Wile File
Hometown: Anderson, Ind.
High School: Anderson High School
College: Saint Louis University, 2000

Coaching Experience
Youngstown State (2003-Present)
Pike HS (2002-2003)
Indiana State (2001-2002)
Southern Illinois (2000-2001)

Playing Experience
Saint Louis (1996-2000)