BYU didn’t have to go far for its next women’s basketball coach.
Lee Cummard, a longtime assistant under Jeff Judkins and Amber Whiting, will take over as head coach. He replaces Whiting, who stepped down after three seasons at the helm.
Cummard spent nearly all of his coaching career in Provo. He started as a graduate assistant with the men’s program under Dave Rose and moved up to be an assistant.
When Rose left BYU, Cummard moved to Judkins’ staff on the women’s side, serving as an assistant for four seasons. He was a candidate to replace Judkins in 2022, but was named Whiting’s associate head coach instead.
Over the last three years, BYU went 45-51 and never had a winning record. It finished 4-14 in the Big 12 last season, leading to Whiting’s dismissal.
“I am extremely grateful and honored to be given the opportunity to serve as the head coach of BYU women’s basketball,” Cummard said in a statement. “BYU is a special place that changes lives, and I am grateful for the impact it has had on my life.”
Cummard was a star player himself at BYU, scoring more than 1,500 points. He was the co-Mountain West player of the year in 2008 and played professionally in France and Belgium before stepping into coaching.
BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe believes Cummard’s familiarity with the Provo school will ease his transition to head coach.
“Lee has been an important part of our BYU athletics family for many years,” Holmoe said in a statement. “His time as a star player on the men’s team, and a member of both the men’s and women’s basketball coaching staffs, gives him valuable experience and connection in this important position.”
The most immediate question for Cummard is if he can retain the Cougars’ star guard Delaney Gibb on the roster. Gibb had a breakout freshman season, averaging over 17 points per game as she was named the Big 12 freshman of the year.
BYU already lost Gibb’s running mate in Amari Whiting, who committed to Oklahoma State. Whiting is the daughter of former head coach Amber Whiting.