BYU Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeff Judkins Announces Retirement
Apr 14, 2022, 11:17 AM | Updated: 11:29 am
Head Basketball Coach Jeff Judkins of the BYU Cougars watches a play during the first half of a Women's NCAA Basketball Tournament First Round game against the Villanova Wildcats at Crisler Arena on March 19, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
(Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – BYU women’s basketball head coach Jeff Judkins announced his retirement following more than two decades leading the Cougars.
BYU announced Judkins’ decision on Thursday, April 14.
The former NBA player led the BYU women’s basketball program for 21 years and has the most wins by a head coach in BYU basketball history.
“I’ve loved my years here. The program is in a good place and it’s a good time for me,” Judkins said. “I have so many great memories of BYU. I’ve loved the people, the players, the coaches and everyone here at BYU. We turned this program into a consistent winner that wins conference championships and goes to the tournament on a regular basis. We’ve had great players and historic wins but more importantly it has been the people and the relationships that I have loved and will remember the most. I’ve been lucky to be able to do something that I’ve loved so much for as long as I have.”
#BYU women’s basketball coach Jeff Judkins has announced his retirement.#BYUHoops #GoCougs @byuwbb pic.twitter.com/ZQkc2VW6MB
— KSL Sports (@kslsports) April 14, 2022
“Jeff Judkins has had an illustrious career in basketball,” said BYU director of athletics Tom Holmoe. “From his high school days at Highland High School, to starring at the University of Utah, to his time in the NBA and finishing off with 21 years as head coach of the BYU Women’s Basketball Team, Juddy has accomplished so much. His record of wins, championships, great players he’s mentored and great teams he’s led will long be remembered. Jeff loved his players, and they loved him.”
Jeff Judkins announces retirement from BYU.
Our Head coach Jeff Judkins announced today he is retiring from coaching at BYU after 21 years as head coach and the most wins by a head coach in BYU basketball history, men or women. 💙https://t.co/ObY48eMDZN pic.twitter.com/PqVfdi8WWs
— BYU Women's Hoops (@byuwbb) April 14, 2022
About Jeff Judkins
The Salt Lake City native played high school basketball at Highland before a college career at the University of Utah. Following a standout career with the Utes, Judkins was selected by the Boston Celtics during the second round of the 1978 NBA Draft.
When you combine Juddy’s time at Utah and BYU there aren’t many names who have had a greater impact on college basketball in this state. https://t.co/4rfs8luEN9
— Jeremiah Jensen (@JJSportsBeat) April 14, 2022
Judkins played in the NBA from 1979-83. He was a member of the Celtics, Utah Jazz, Detroit Pistons, and Portland Trail Blazers.
Following his playing career, Judkins became an assistant coach for the Utah men’s basketball team. He coached at Utah from 1989-99. In 1999, Judkins was hired as an assistant for the BYU women’s basketball team. He was promoted to head coach of the Cougars in 2001.
#BYU women’s basketball has the perfect candidate to replace Jeff Judkins in Lee Cummard.
Cummard stepped in as head coach last season when Judkins tested positive for COVID-19. He led #BYU to two of their biggest victories against Florida State and West Virginia.
— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) April 14, 2022
Judkins coached BYU to a 456-204 overall record. He led the Cougars to 10 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including two trips to the Sweet 16.
He was honored as a conference coach of the year six times, including WCC Coach of the Year in 2022. BYU won five regular season conference titles and four conference tournament championships under Judkins.
