Aja Ochie enters her ninth season as a member of the Southeastern women’s basketball coaching staff.
The Somerville, Tennessee native returned to her alma mater prior to the 2015-16 season. She primarily works with the Lady Lion post players and is a key member of the operations of the basketball program.
In 2023-24, Southeastern enjoyed yet another incredible season with Robertson's assistance, posting a 19-12 overall record and a 14-4 mark in Southland Conference play for the second consecutive year. SLU finished third in the Southland standings and finished its season in the Southland Conference Tournament semifinals. Forward Kennedy Paul earned 1,000 career points along with Hailey Giaratano, the first time in program history two players have accomplished that feat in the same season.
The 2022-23 Lady Lions finished with a historic season making it all the way to Southeastern's first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. Southeastern faced No. 2 Iowa for the first round of March Madness. The team finished with an overall record of 21-10 and 14-4 in Southland Conference play. SLU earned the conference regular season title, then moved to secure the program's first SLC Tournament title. Four Lady Lions earned All-Conference honors as forward Natalie Kelly claimed All-Conference defensive honors under Ochie's guidance.
The 2021-22 Southeastern squad took a further step forward, finishing 16-11 overall and 10-4 in conference play. SLU picked up their first two wins in Southland Conference Tournament play since the 2001-02 season and advanced to the SLC Tournament championship game for the first time in school history. Senior forward Caitlyn Williams was the first Lady Lion to earn first team All-Southland honors since 2008-09 Williams also earned All-Louisiana notice.
Under Ochie’s guidance, senior forward Nanna Pool led the Lady Lions and ranked ninth in the Southland in scoring (14.8 ppg) during the 2015-16 season. Pool claimed 12 double-doubles and finished 23 games in double-digit scoring and ranked fourth in the league in rebounds (9.2 rpg), second in field goal percentage (.514), and tied for fifth in blocked shots (1.1 bpg). The Magnolia, Miss. native became the 11th Lady Lion to secure 1,200 career points and was named to the All-Southland Conference (Third Team).
Ochie, under her maiden name of Aja Gibson, was a two-time All-Southland Conference forward for Southeastern from 2010-14, earning third team honors in 2012-13 and honorable mention recognition in 2011-12. She finished her career ranked in the program's top 10 in games played (118), career scoring (1,278 points), rebounding (694), free throws made (289), field goals made (494) and blocked shots (71).
Ochie also played on the 2015 USA Global Force International travel team in Budapest, Hungary.
Ochie had been hired as the head girls basketball coach at Independence High School in July 2015 after serving as an assistant coach for the Lady Tigers during the 2014-15 season. She was also a physical education teacher at the school from 2014-15.
Ochie also served as the recreation director at Chappapeela Park in Hammond and was an assistant coach for an Amateur Athletics Union under 13 girls team, helping lead it to a third-place finish at the 2015 Nationals in Orlando, Fla.
Ochie was an All-District performer at Fayette Ware High School, leading her team to a District 14-AA title as a junior in being named the team’s Most Valuable Player. She captained the team her junior and senior seasons while also serving as vice president of her senior class.
Ochie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from Southeastern in December 2013. She is married to former Lion basketball player Onochie Ochie. The couple has two sons, Onochie III (Trip) and Arinze and daughter Ari.
