BYU names Lee Cummard as women's basketball coach
Lee Cummard, a familiar face in BYU basketball circles, is officially taking the reins as head coach of the women’s basketball team, becoming the eighth head coach in program history.
“He’s tough, he has this right balance between fire and ice,” said Tom Holmoe. “He can be strong, he can be tough, he can be very competitive, he also can be compassionate. It’s just what we need at this point in time.”
Cummard was serving as the team’s interim coach since March 8, when Amber Whiting and BYU decided to move in a different direction and parted ways.
“I’m really excited for the future of the program and the players that are going to be a part of it,” said Cummard. “At BYU there is a tradition of winning and there’s a commitment to it and I fully intend to live up to that commitment and that winning tradition. Excellence is the expectation.”
The former men’s basketball standout has been on the women’s basketball staff since 2019, serving as an assistant coach under Jeff Judkins and Amber Whiting.
During his time as an assistant, Cummard has been a part of two NCAA tournament teams in 2021 and 2022. BYU also won the West Coast Conference regular-season championship during the 2021-22 season.
Cummard has coached many players that received All-Conference awards, most recently Delaney Gibb, who was unanimously named the Big 12 Freshman of the Year. He also helped coach the Cougars' all-time leading rebounder and two-time All-America Honorable Mention, Lauren Gustin.
Cummard had a successful playing career at BYU where he is regarded as one of the best players in program history. Under Dave Rose, he won the 2008 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year, was named All-MWC First Team in 2008 and 2009, and helped lead BYU to three straight MWC titles (2007, 2008, 2009).
“I’ve loved my time at BYU up until this point and I know I’m going to love my time going forward,” said Cummard.
Following his career as a player at BYU, Cummard played professionally overseas in France, Japan, and Belgium from 2009-2016 before returning in 2016 to become a graduate assistant on the men’s basketball team.
Cummard will look to right the ship after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. He will be tasked with building up the roster and retaining key players such as Gibb as the Cougars enter year three in the Big 12.
“We want everybody that comes here to be who they are supposed to be,” Cummard said. “Whoever you are supposed to be, that’s what the expectations are for you and I know that they’ll improve as individuals on the court but most importantly, off the court.”
With a rich history at BYU as both a player and coach, Cummard is poised to usher in a new era for the Cougars. His commitment to its winning tradition will be key as he works to rebuild and strengthen the team in the competitive Big 12 landscape.