New Mexico Highlands Athletic Director Bob Clifford is excited to announce Joseph Anders has been named the Interim Head Women’s Basketball Coach. “We are excited about the special opportunity for New Mexico Highlands to have a coach of Joseph Anders’ caliber here taking over the women’s basketball program” said Clifford.
Coach Anders said “I am truly excited to join the New Mexico Highlands family. The process was very thorough and I enjoyed getting to know Dr. Sam Minner and Bob Clifford and seeing the local community. ”
During Anders’ 31 year coaching career he has spent time at the high school, NCAA Division II, and most recently Division I level. Anders comes to New Mexico Highlands after spending the last four seasons as an assistant coach at University of New Mexico. During his four seasons on the Lobo bench his primary duties included post player development and recruiting. The Lobos made two postseason tournaments and had two top five Mountain West finishes.
Before his time in Albuquerque, Anders was the Interim Head Coach during the 2011-2012 season and Associate Head Coach from 2001-2011 with the women’s basketball program at Arizona State University. While at the reigns of the Sun Devils, the team went 20-11 with a semi-final tournament appearance and a 4th place regular season finish in the strong Pac-12 while setting the conference scoring defense record (52.5 ppg). They also set program records of scoring defense, defensive field goal percentage, blocked shots, and blocked shots in a game.
During his time as Associate Head Coach at Arizona St. the Sun Devils went 224-102 with seven NCAA and three WNIT appearances. In the seven NCAA appearances the Sun Devils made two Elite Eights (2007, 2009) and one Sweet Sixteen (2005). During his 10 seasons in Tempe the team had seven 20+ wins seasons while being ranked as high as 8th in the USA Today/ESPN poll and 10th in the AP poll. Academically the Sun Devils had six ESPN/CoSIDA Academic All-District VIII honors, 49 All-Academic honors, and one Scholar Athlete of the Year. The Sun Devils also had 26 All-Conference winners, eight of which were on the All-Freshman team. They had eight named to the All-Conference defensive teams and four honorable mention All-Americans. Three WNBA players were produced during Anders’ tenure at Arizona St.
Anders has also spent time at the following schools as an assistant coach: Eastern Carolina (one season), Mississippi State (two seasons), and Northern Arizona with the men’s team (two seasons).
Prior to assisting at NAU Anders was at California State – Sacramento for seven seasons with the men’s team, six of which were as the head coach. During his tenure he oversaw the transition from Division II to Division I. In his second year as the head coach (1987-1988) Anders was a Division II Coach of the Year Candidate, while being names Sacramento King’s Collegiate Coach of the Year, and Northern Collegiate Coach of the Year. He led the Hornets to a 22-6 record and finished the season ranked 8th in Division II polls. In 1989 Anders was inducted into the Northern California Hall of Fame and was named to Sacramento Magazine’s Best and Bright Professionals.
Anders had his first head coaching experience at Wilmar High School in Wilmar, Arkansas where he served as the athletic director, a teacher and head coach for both the boys and the girls basketball teams. In his first season Anders led the boys team to a state championship. He also led the girls team to the state championship game in 1984 where they finished runners up. In that same season he was named the Arkansas Class B Coach of the Year.
Anders got his coaching start at the University of Arkansas – Monticello as a graduate assistant. Anders is a graduate of the University of Arkansas system graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education and obtained teaching credentials in elementary and secondary education from University of Arkansas – Monticello.
“I have no doubt that there are only good times ahead for us and the Cowgirl program. I’m ready to come in and make our student-athletes the best that they can be.” Anders said smiling.
Photo Courtesy NMHU Athletics
http://nmhucowboys.com/news/2016/4/12/andres-named-interim-head-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
Tagged with: DII Joseph Anders New Mexico RMAC
