Monarchs Head Coach Jenny Boucek and Assistant Coach Monique Ambers

If there is anyone on the Monarchs coaching staff that embodies the word sassy, it has to be Assistant Coach Monique Ambers. Ambers is in her fifth season as a Monarchs assistant. Throughout her tenure, she has brought a style all her own with class, charm and basketball intelligence to the Monarchs bench.

Coach Mo’s hoops roots stem from her youth. As a child, she always had an interest in sports. It wasn’t until one fateful sixth grade recess that she decided to try her hand at basketball.

“We always played sports at recess no matter what it was – boys against girls – and one time we decided to play basketball,” Coach Ambers recalled with a smile. “The guys won and that was kind of like my wakeup call (to start taking basketball seriously)!”

Due to her competitive nature, Mo’s love of the game grew with that first loss. Mo worked at her game from elementary school through high school. As her passion and talent progressed, Mo would go on to play in college. She played ball for Arizona State and graduated in 1993. After graduating, she spent time as an assistant coach for George Washington University from 1994-1997. Her biggest adjustment from player to coach was the amount of time the job required.

“As a player, you come here and practice for two hours then you go home,” Ambers said. “But as a coach, you come here in the morning before the players arrive and then you probably leave after the players leave.”

At the end of her college coaching tenure, a new professional league for women gave her an opportunity to showcase her basketball talents. In 1997, She was selected in the fourth round of the first WNBA draft by the Phoenix Mercury. Ambers saw action in 19 games that year. Several years later, she became an assistant coach in Sacramento. However, she unexpectedly found herself back on the hardwood as a player. Due to an injury-plagued roster, Ambers played in two contests for the Monarchs during the summer of 2002.

“I think she’s great because she’s played before,” Adrian Williams said. “She’s a good coach because she understands what we’re going through in the game.”

She made a living down low during her playing career. So it’s no surprise that Coach Ambers’ main responsibilities are to the Monarchs post players. At practice, you’re likely to find Ambers working with Yolanda Griffith on her step through. During a game, she might pull Rebekkah Brunson aside and tell her to beat her defender baseline.

“As far as her helping me individually,” Brunson began. “She’s always set aside time if I ever need any assistance or if I ever need to work on anything. If she sees anything that she can help me improve, she definitely steps in and lets me know by giving me all the advice and on-court assistance she can possibly give.”

Scouting is another important task in Ambers’ role as an assistant. Surveying another team’s habits and play calling tendencies are all part of her duties.

“I make sure all of our players know what to expect,” Ambers said.

Ambers’ role as mediator is another important responsibility that she bears. As a self-described “in-between,” Coach Ambers is an essential liaison between the players and Head Coach Jenny Boucek. If a player is not feeling well, it’s her place to let Coach Boucek know. Or if a player is not performing at a high-level, she may ask Coach Boucek to speak to that player.

“Anything that I don’t know about,” Coach Boucek said. “She’s making sure that everything is taken care of and is being done. She’s constantly having conversations with the players. She’s putting out fires here and she’s putting out fires there. She does a little bit of everything - whatever is needed.”

Although her duties may seem lofty, she loves everything about coaching in the WNBA.

“This is easier for me because I expect more from them and they know that,” Ambers said, comparing her tenure in the college ranks to coaching on the professional level. “I can explain a situation to them and I know it’s going to be done. With college, more motivation is involved and pro players don’t need that as much.”

Praise and recognition don’t necessarily come with the territory. Rather, the success of her players is the most rewarding. As evident in Rebekkah Brunson’s breakout year, a player’s development is something that Ambers sees as the highest honor.

Beyond the action that takes place on the court, Ambers puts her sense of style on display each game for the fans. Monarchs faithful can see this not only reflected in the flair of her wardrobe, but Coach Boucek’s as well.

“She dresses me for pretty much every game,” Coach Boucek said with a grin. “She’s not only good at spending her own money, but she’s pretty good at spending mine too!”

“I don’t like the typical business suit,” Ambers countered. “I just like to have fun with it. I think that you can have fun with your dress. It shows a little bit of your personality because a lot of times people don’t have a chance to see it when I’m sitting on the bench.”

Besides keeping herself and Coach Boucek well-outfitted, Ambers finds comfort outside of the coaching world through music. Hip-Hop and R&B are what pique her musical interests the most. Mary J. Blige, R. Kelly, India Arie, Brian McKnight, and Musiq Soulchild are just a few of her favorite artists.

Being a strong teacher is critical to coaching. With a bachelor’s degree in child development, it’s no shock that she has been successful. As a matter of fact, Ambers hypothesized that if she weren’t coaching in the WNBA, she’d probably be utilizing her gift in the classroom.

“I’d probably be teaching,” Ambers said. “I like the two through four-year-old age group, because kids those ages crack me up!”

From the players to Coach Boucek, everyone agrees that Coach Mo brings an array of extraordinary qualities to the Monarchs. Whether it be working with Adrian Williams on her up-and-under or giving Coach Boucek fashion advice, she is always lending a helping hand.