Green Departs Columbia for NCAA DII Stop

(Story provided by Columbia Sports Communications)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The head women's basketball coach at Columbia College, NaJarius Green, has made the tough decision to step down from his position with the Koalas this week in order to take the head coaching job at an NCAA Division II University.

Green's last day was Friday, June 27.

"First, I would like to thank Columbia College for everything," commented Green on his departure. "The past three years have been unforgettable and forever in my heart. I would like to personally thank Dr. Dozier and AD Glen Crawford for their leadership and commitment to our program. I also would like to thank Dr. Bogart and Debbie Wardlaw for giving me this opportunity in 2022."

"Lastly," Green continued, "Thank you to all my amazing players and coaches that made this program to what it has become today. Go Koalas!"

"We're incredibly grateful for Coach Green's leadership and the progress he's brought to our women's basketball program," Columbia College Director of Athletics Glen Crawford said. "Under his direction, the team reached new heights, including a record-setting 19-win season last year. He's built a strong foundation, and we wish him nothing but success in his next chapter."

Green just completed his third season as the Head Women's Basketball Coach for the Lady Koalas. He was honored with the WhoopDirt.com NAIA Coach of the Week Award in November of 2024 for helping get the Koalas off to their best start to a season in school history at 9-1. 

During this past season, he led the Koalas to a historic season at 19-12, as those 19 wins are the most wins in school history and is the first winning season in school history. Green was also awarded the National NAIA Coach of the Week in December 2024 after a 13-1 start. He then led the Lady Koalas, yet again, to the AAC Conference tournament for the third straight season with an 11-11 conference record while also winning a conference tournament game for the first time in school history. He also helped produce two AAC All-Conference performers in 2024-25 and four overall in his tenure along with five academic all-conference athletes. He finished with 41 wins at Columbia. 

In 2023-24 season, Green helped Lead the Koalas to 12 wins, setting a new school wins record at the time while also making the conference tournament in consecutive seasons. In 2022-23, Green Led the Koalas to a 10 win season after the previous season's team only recorded four wins. Those 10 wins were the most at the time in Columbia Women's Basketball History. Columbia also upset #25 and undefeated Reinhardt that season. Green led the Koalas to their first ever AAC Conference Tournament Appearance in 2023.

Before Columbia College, Green spent two seasons as the top assistant with the women's basketball program at NAIA school Spartanburg Methodist College in Spartanburg, SC where he helped lead the Pioneers to back-to-back Region-10 championships and two district championship appearances while putting together a 31-13 record.