By Scott Creer
When the BYU women”s basketball team lost in overtime in the second round of the NIT to Hawaii, head coach Trent Shippen knew the Cougars” season was over.
Little did he know, his head coaching career was over as well.
After four years as coach of the Cougars, Shippen stepped down, and BYU named assistant coach Jeff Judkins the new head coach.
“We really appreciate what Trent has done with our women”s basketball program,” said Elaine Michaelis, BYU women”s athletic director. “He has been a very good influence on the team members and has lifted the program well beyond where it”s been in the past.”
Surprisingly, Shippen will stay on BYU”s staff as an assistant to Judkins.
“I”m very excited and honored to be able to take on this program, and I am looking forward to what we can do here at BYU,” Judkins said. “Trent and I will be working together to continue to improve the women”s program.”
President Merrill J. Bateman made the announcement Friday, April 20, and hopes the BYU fans can support the move.
“We are pleased with the work Trent has done as head coach,” Bateman said. “We now turn our support to Jeff Judkins who brings great strength to the program and we look forward to a successful future.”
Judkins came to BYU from Utah, where he was an assistant coach for the men”s basketball team for 10 years. For the past two years, Judkins served as head of basketball operations for both men”s and women”s programs, and last season was an assistant under Shippen.
Judkins played basketball at Utah from 1974-1978 and then played in the NBA for five years, including stints with the Boston Celtics, Portland Trailblazers, Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz.
Judkins will be taking his first head coaching position. The Cougars hope to improve on their recent success, including three straight post-season appearances.
