University of Arizona women’s basketball head coach Niya Butts and the women’s basketball staff will not return to the program after the completion of the 2015-16 season, Director of Athletics Greg Byrne announced on Tuesday.
“I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed having Niya and her staff as part of our athletics department,” Byrne said. “They brought such a positive energy to McKale and were positive role models for the young women that came through our program. Unfortunately, the results on the court weren’t where we needed them to be. We wish Niya and her staff nothing but the best moving forward and thank them for all they’ve done for the University of Arizona.”
Butts arrived at Arizona prior to the 2008-09 season after serving five seasons as an assistant coach at Kentucky. Butts’ best season at Arizona came in 2010-11 when the Wildcats went 21-12 and 10-8 in the Pac-12. That team qualified for the WNIT, which marked Arizona’s first postseason appearance since 2005. Butts coached future WNBA draft pick Davellyn Whyte for four seasons and helped her win several conference honors. The eighth head coach in program history, Butts won her 100th career game earlier this season against Colorado and enters this week’s Pac-12 Tournament with 101 career victories at Arizona.
“I want to thank Jim Livengood and Rocky LaRose for giving me this opportunity, and Greg Byrne for being so supportive throughout my time at Arizona,” stated Butts. “I’ve loved every second of my time in Tucson, from the student-athletes I was fortunate to coach, to the people in McKale, to the fans and supporters of Arizona Athletics. Even though we didn’t win as much as we all would have liked, I’m leaving the department with nothing but good memories and strong relationships that I will cherish forever. This is a special place with special people and I want nothing but the best for Greg and the entire athletics department.”
A national search for the next head women’s basketball coach will begin immediately.
http://www.arizonawildcats.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=30700&ATCLID=210762789
Tagged with: Arizona Niya Butts PAC-12
