Completed Event: Women's Basketball at Eastern Kentucky on March 19, 2026 , Loss , 58, to, 72
Final Score
Women's Basketball
58
at Eastern Kentucky
72
The University of Utah Athletics
Becoming a Mother while Coaching at an Elite Level with Assistant Coach Jordan MacIntyre
6/23/2026 11:52 AM | Women's Basketball
SALT LAKE CITY — For most coaches going into a new basketball season has a set routine when it comes to preparation and scheduling, but at the beginning of the 2025-26 season, assistant coach Jordan MacIntyre, knew the upcoming season was going to look a little different. Â
As the Utes started the first week of official practices, MacIntyre was keeping a secret. She was expecting a baby due in February 2026. Before the first game of the season was even played she knew she needed to tell the Utes a baby was on the way. Being a coach and becoming a mother was uncharted territory and the first conversation going into the season needed to be with head coach Gavin Petersen.
"I was shocked when I found out I was pregnant," MacIntyre smiled. "I knew I needed to have a vulnerable conversation with Gavin. This was new to me and he was a new head coach so this situation was also new to him. We talked about how he can support me while I was becoming a mom and an assistant on his staff and what that would look like for both of us. There was a lot of comfort and peace of mind going into it knowing we were on the same page wading into uncharted territory."Â
Petersen was elated at the news of a new Ute. Showing support while making life as easy as possible and making sure all of the responsibilities were taken care of was the main goal for both himself and MacIntyre heading into the season.Â
"When she told me she and James were expecting I was excited for them," Petersen said. "Becoming a parent is a pretty cool deal and to be able to continue to do what she loves, being a good coach and a good role model for the women on our team was everything to us. We were going to do everything we could to make life as easy as possible for her while making sure that everything was taken care of."Â Â
After letting Gavin and the rest of the coaching and support staff know about the pregnancy it was time to tell the team.Â
"I was keeping it a secret for a while," MacIntyre said. "It got to a point where I thought I was starting to show so I wanted it to be a surprise. The staff helped me come up with a fun creative way to tell them. We were in the film room on a regular day and had a presentation and at the end of the presentation was my pregnancy announcement. The team freaked out. I think that's what I was most excited for, was telling the team. It was exciting to share such a big life moment with all the people I'm around every single day and love like family."
The 2025-26 basketball season was underway and MacIntyre embraced all the changes and challenges that came with being a coach and being pregnant. She traveled with the team as long as she could and stayed diligent in her responsibilities and supporting the team even if she couldn't be on the road. She sent out variations of a "Good Luck" text each and every game she wasn't able to attend.Â
"Knowing I was going to have Jonesy during the season was hard," she shared. "I knew it was going to be at crunch time of our season. Everything we work for happens in March so I was a little stressed wondering how much I could be a part of with our team when we got to that point. I didn't want to miss any games and not traveling that last month was a struggle. It's hard to miss out on anything with the team you invested so much time and energy into (and vice versa) for those moments at the end of the season."Â
Baby MacIntyre was expected to arrive on the brink of the NCAA Tournament and came just in time to join the madness. MacIntyre and her husband, James, welcomed a baby boy, Jonesy, on Feb. 19, 2026. Just nine days before the final home game of the season and two weeks before the Big 12 Tournament.Â
"That first week after he was born was a blur," she said. "I knew I wanted to be there for senior night. Unless I had the baby on that day, it was really important for me to be there for the seniors and that final home game."
After missing just two games (one home game and one road game) after Jonesy was born, MacIntyre put on her game day outfit and showed up for the final home game of the season on Feb. 28, 2026 against Arizona.Â
"Jordan did a phenomenal job being a great coach before Jonesy was born," Petersen said. "Afterwards, she was trying to get back to work as soon as possible and we kept telling her to take some time and enjoy but that's how much she cares about this program. I was really happy for them to welcome Jonesy to this world and it was great for our team to see someone in this profession set the example that you can continue to be a mother and be really good at your job."Â Â
"It was stressful going to that game," MacIntyre explained. "I didn't know my body yet and I was exhausted from a week with a newborn but I'm glad I got to be there and support the seniors and it all worked out."
MacIntyre has felt nothing but love and support from the people around her. This unique career with the added venture of motherhood wouldn't be possible without the village she's found here in Salt Lake City.Â
"The only way it's been possible to be a coach and a mom is with the incredible support of my partner, James," MacIntyre shared. "He has been the ultra-dad already. I'm out recruiting and back in the gym and he makes it doable. I'm very blessed to have a partner that supports me being a coach and being a mom. James truly is the best.
"On top of an ultra-dad, our staff, administration and players have been incredible to our family and have made this new adventure manageable," she continued. "From bringing dinner over, to checking in with me, to spoiling Jonesy, I am extremely grateful for this group of people I'm surrounded by."
MacIntyre is now four months into motherhood and is a coach prepping for a new season with a new team in the midst of summer workouts. The dual roles have brought around some new challenges but also added a lot of perspective.Â
"I'm such a Type A person," MacIntyre explained. "I like to be organized. I like to have plan. I like to stick to that plan. But having a baby changed a lot of that. There are so many things outside of my control. I don't even know how much sleep I will get everyday anymore. I've really learned to not sweat the small stuff and go with the flow. I've learned to narrow in on what's most important and then adjust and adapt accordingly."
"I just want to be the best mom and coach I can be," MacIntyre added. "I want to be the best wife to my husband, the best friend, the best daughter, the best sister, etc . . . I'm being drawn in a lot of different ways, more than I used to be. I need to be a mom first and I love to be that but I'm still trying to figure out how to be fully committed to the team and all these other areas of my life that are important to me. I think finding that balance will be a constant ebb and flow now. "
MacIntyre has quickly learned there are a lot of parallels between coaching and motherhood.
"There's a big parallel between how much I love the people in this program and how I want the best for them and how much I love Jonesy and want the best for him," she explained. "Going with the flow, like I said, is another big one. You have to be able to figure things out on the fly and take a deep breath and show up when it gets hard. That's exactly what we ask our players to do. Sometimes you don't want to show up and sometimes you want a day off but that's when it's most important to show up.
"Another big parallel is giving grace to not only yourself but the people around you," MacIntyre added. "You have to have some understanding because it's not always going to be their best day and you never know what someone's going through. I also really appreciate the people around me who are also giving me that grace as I navigate this new life.
"One other parallel to note is that there is usually an underlying meaning beneath behaviors," she added. "As funny as it sounds, there's only about three current meanings for Jonesy's crying, but I know there's an underlying reason because I've gotten to know him. This is the same with coaching, to get to know and understand our players helps me connect the dots between behaviors and outcomes. It all comes down to connection."
MacIntyre's motherly instincts weren't a surprise to Petersen and he's excited to watch the growth in her as this new life chapter continues.Â
"Jordan has always been that mom type of mentality," Petersen said. "Whether it's with our players or the coaching staff, she's always the one to bring in coffee when you don't expect it and bring the sweet treats on someone's birthday and special occasions. It's not surprising at all to see her and James having a family of their own. They are already great parents and it's really cool to see."Â
The 2026-27 Utes have reported for summer workouts and getting ready for a brand new season and MacIntyre is excited for what's to come.
"I'm looking forward to being in the gym with this group," she said. "We have a great group of players that are so hungry to prove themselves and compete. I'm excited to bring Jonesy around and for the team to get to know him and for him to get to know the girls. I'm excited to share my life as a mom with the players and excited for Jonesy to grow up getting to see my life as a coach and what it means to be a part of a team."Â
Â
As the Utes started the first week of official practices, MacIntyre was keeping a secret. She was expecting a baby due in February 2026. Before the first game of the season was even played she knew she needed to tell the Utes a baby was on the way. Being a coach and becoming a mother was uncharted territory and the first conversation going into the season needed to be with head coach Gavin Petersen.
"I was shocked when I found out I was pregnant," MacIntyre smiled. "I knew I needed to have a vulnerable conversation with Gavin. This was new to me and he was a new head coach so this situation was also new to him. We talked about how he can support me while I was becoming a mom and an assistant on his staff and what that would look like for both of us. There was a lot of comfort and peace of mind going into it knowing we were on the same page wading into uncharted territory."Â
Petersen was elated at the news of a new Ute. Showing support while making life as easy as possible and making sure all of the responsibilities were taken care of was the main goal for both himself and MacIntyre heading into the season.Â
"When she told me she and James were expecting I was excited for them," Petersen said. "Becoming a parent is a pretty cool deal and to be able to continue to do what she loves, being a good coach and a good role model for the women on our team was everything to us. We were going to do everything we could to make life as easy as possible for her while making sure that everything was taken care of."Â Â
After letting Gavin and the rest of the coaching and support staff know about the pregnancy it was time to tell the team.Â
"I was keeping it a secret for a while," MacIntyre said. "It got to a point where I thought I was starting to show so I wanted it to be a surprise. The staff helped me come up with a fun creative way to tell them. We were in the film room on a regular day and had a presentation and at the end of the presentation was my pregnancy announcement. The team freaked out. I think that's what I was most excited for, was telling the team. It was exciting to share such a big life moment with all the people I'm around every single day and love like family."
The 2025-26 basketball season was underway and MacIntyre embraced all the changes and challenges that came with being a coach and being pregnant. She traveled with the team as long as she could and stayed diligent in her responsibilities and supporting the team even if she couldn't be on the road. She sent out variations of a "Good Luck" text each and every game she wasn't able to attend.Â
"Knowing I was going to have Jonesy during the season was hard," she shared. "I knew it was going to be at crunch time of our season. Everything we work for happens in March so I was a little stressed wondering how much I could be a part of with our team when we got to that point. I didn't want to miss any games and not traveling that last month was a struggle. It's hard to miss out on anything with the team you invested so much time and energy into (and vice versa) for those moments at the end of the season."Â
Baby MacIntyre was expected to arrive on the brink of the NCAA Tournament and came just in time to join the madness. MacIntyre and her husband, James, welcomed a baby boy, Jonesy, on Feb. 19, 2026. Just nine days before the final home game of the season and two weeks before the Big 12 Tournament.Â
"That first week after he was born was a blur," she said. "I knew I wanted to be there for senior night. Unless I had the baby on that day, it was really important for me to be there for the seniors and that final home game."
After missing just two games (one home game and one road game) after Jonesy was born, MacIntyre put on her game day outfit and showed up for the final home game of the season on Feb. 28, 2026 against Arizona.Â
"Jordan did a phenomenal job being a great coach before Jonesy was born," Petersen said. "Afterwards, she was trying to get back to work as soon as possible and we kept telling her to take some time and enjoy but that's how much she cares about this program. I was really happy for them to welcome Jonesy to this world and it was great for our team to see someone in this profession set the example that you can continue to be a mother and be really good at your job."Â Â
"It was stressful going to that game," MacIntyre explained. "I didn't know my body yet and I was exhausted from a week with a newborn but I'm glad I got to be there and support the seniors and it all worked out."
MacIntyre has felt nothing but love and support from the people around her. This unique career with the added venture of motherhood wouldn't be possible without the village she's found here in Salt Lake City.Â
"The only way it's been possible to be a coach and a mom is with the incredible support of my partner, James," MacIntyre shared. "He has been the ultra-dad already. I'm out recruiting and back in the gym and he makes it doable. I'm very blessed to have a partner that supports me being a coach and being a mom. James truly is the best.
"On top of an ultra-dad, our staff, administration and players have been incredible to our family and have made this new adventure manageable," she continued. "From bringing dinner over, to checking in with me, to spoiling Jonesy, I am extremely grateful for this group of people I'm surrounded by."
MacIntyre is now four months into motherhood and is a coach prepping for a new season with a new team in the midst of summer workouts. The dual roles have brought around some new challenges but also added a lot of perspective.Â
"I'm such a Type A person," MacIntyre explained. "I like to be organized. I like to have plan. I like to stick to that plan. But having a baby changed a lot of that. There are so many things outside of my control. I don't even know how much sleep I will get everyday anymore. I've really learned to not sweat the small stuff and go with the flow. I've learned to narrow in on what's most important and then adjust and adapt accordingly."
"I just want to be the best mom and coach I can be," MacIntyre added. "I want to be the best wife to my husband, the best friend, the best daughter, the best sister, etc . . . I'm being drawn in a lot of different ways, more than I used to be. I need to be a mom first and I love to be that but I'm still trying to figure out how to be fully committed to the team and all these other areas of my life that are important to me. I think finding that balance will be a constant ebb and flow now. "
MacIntyre has quickly learned there are a lot of parallels between coaching and motherhood.
"There's a big parallel between how much I love the people in this program and how I want the best for them and how much I love Jonesy and want the best for him," she explained. "Going with the flow, like I said, is another big one. You have to be able to figure things out on the fly and take a deep breath and show up when it gets hard. That's exactly what we ask our players to do. Sometimes you don't want to show up and sometimes you want a day off but that's when it's most important to show up.
"Another big parallel is giving grace to not only yourself but the people around you," MacIntyre added. "You have to have some understanding because it's not always going to be their best day and you never know what someone's going through. I also really appreciate the people around me who are also giving me that grace as I navigate this new life.
"One other parallel to note is that there is usually an underlying meaning beneath behaviors," she added. "As funny as it sounds, there's only about three current meanings for Jonesy's crying, but I know there's an underlying reason because I've gotten to know him. This is the same with coaching, to get to know and understand our players helps me connect the dots between behaviors and outcomes. It all comes down to connection."
MacIntyre's motherly instincts weren't a surprise to Petersen and he's excited to watch the growth in her as this new life chapter continues.Â
"Jordan has always been that mom type of mentality," Petersen said. "Whether it's with our players or the coaching staff, she's always the one to bring in coffee when you don't expect it and bring the sweet treats on someone's birthday and special occasions. It's not surprising at all to see her and James having a family of their own. They are already great parents and it's really cool to see."Â
The 2026-27 Utes have reported for summer workouts and getting ready for a brand new season and MacIntyre is excited for what's to come.
"I'm looking forward to being in the gym with this group," she said. "We have a great group of players that are so hungry to prove themselves and compete. I'm excited to bring Jonesy around and for the team to get to know him and for him to get to know the girls. I'm excited to share my life as a mom with the players and excited for Jonesy to grow up getting to see my life as a coach and what it means to be a part of a team."Â
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