On Wednesday, Northern Arizona women’s basketball head coach Loree Payne announced Jenny Thigpin as an assistant coach. Thigpin fills a void on the staff and will work primarily with the Lumberjack post players.
“Jenny is an incredible coach; head coaching experience at a DII and mid-major experience at a DI as an assistant,” Payne said. “She’s been in the business for a long time and that will enhance our staff.”
Thigpin comes to NAU after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at Boston University. As a member of the Terriers’ staff, she served as the offensive coordinator and coached the team’s posts. She coached two All-Patriot League selections, one All-Patriot League Defensive Team player and two players to the Patriot League All-Rookie Team.
While at Boston, Thigpin also assisted with the Terriers’ marketing, communication and social media efforts and was the camp director for their Elite Skills Camp.
“We really looked at the gaps we had in our staff and what our needs were, and obviously a post player development coach was a top priority for us,” Payne said. “We feel that she fulfills those needs and will come in and change the dynamic of our post play.”
Prior to Boston, Thigpin spent three seasons at Dixie State including the last two seasons (2014-16) as the Trailblazers’ head coach. In her two years as Dixie State’s head coach, Thigpin led the team to a 17-35 overall record and coached an All-PacWest First Team player, a D2CCA All-West Region Second Team player and a CoSIDA First Team Academic All-American.
Thigpin has spent a total of five years coaching in the Division II PacWest Conference, getting her collegiate coaching start at Fresno Pacific where she was the recruiting coordinator and defensive coordinator for two years.
Originally from Hanford, Calif., Thigpin’s first coaching job was as the head varsity coach of Buchanan High School in Clovis, Calif. In 2009, Thigpin coached the team to a 22-7 record – setting a school record for most wins – while reaching the final four of the Central Section playoffs.
“I’m beyond excited to be a part of the Northern Arizona women’s basketball program,” Thigpin said. “Coach Payne speaks very highly of the program and I was won over by the direction and vision she has. Everyone speaks so highly of her and her energy, and I’m excited to be a part of where we’re headed.”
Thigpin graduated with a degree in anthropology from Fresno State in 2007, where she played her senior season. Thigpin transferred to Fresno State after playing three seasons at Arizona State from 2002-05. During her sophomore and junior years, she appeared in every game for the Sun Devils and posted a standout performance (18 points in 15 minutes) in Arizona State’s upset win over No. 7 Stanford
http://nauathletics.com/news/2018/5/2/jenny-thigpin-hired-as-assistant-womens-basketball-coach.aspx
Tagged with: Assistant Coach DI
