Former Bronco Sunny Smallwood is the new associate head coach for women's basketball; Smallwood was named to that position today by head coach Gordy Presnell.
Smallwood, who played for Boise State from 1979-1983, is a 24-year veteran of college coaching, and has a reputation as one of the top recruiters in the nation. Smallwood replaced Ben Finkbeiner, who left to become his father Jerry's assistant at Utah State.
“Sunny is one of the premier coaches in the country and success has always followed her where ever she has been. Boise State basketball just got a lot better today,” said Presnell. “We are not only fortunate to hire such a quality person and a fantastic coach, but also a Bronco alum. She has recruited first-round WNBA draft picks, top-10 recruiting classes and numerous postseason honorees. She is one of the premier recruiters in the country and we are lucky she has decided to come home to Boise.”
For the past ten seasons, Smallwood has coached at the University of Nebraska, the last six as the associate head coach. She helped the Cornhuskers to eight postseason appearances, with six trips to the NCAA National Tournament. In six of those seasons, Nebraska won 20 or more games, including a 26-7 mark last season. In 2009-10, Smallwood helped develop Nebraska into one of the top defenses in school history, as they finished 32-2 and won the Big 12 regular season championship.
One of the top players was four-year starting point guard Lindsey Moore, whom Smallwood helped recruit. The two-time Nancy Lieberman Award finalist and 2012-13 national player of the year candidate earned All-America honors in 2013 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
Prior to her time in Lincoln, Smallwood coached at the University of California, where she was the 2004-05 associate head coach. Smallwood helped California land one of the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation in her one season in Berkeley.
Smallwood was an assistant coach for 11 seasons at the University of Washington, and served as the recruiting coordinator during her entire time in Seattle. Smallwood helped the Huskies to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2001.
During her time at UW, Smallwood helped recruit High School All-American Jamie Redd, UW's all-time leading scorer, and Amber Hall, the school's all-time leading rebounder, along with All-Conference selections Megan Franza, LeAnn Sheets, Loree Payne, Andrea Lalum and Giuliana Mendiola, the 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Smallwood began her collegiate coaching career at Washington State from 1990-1993, and helped the Cougars earn their first-ever NCAA appearance in her first season.
After earning all-academic honors at Boise State in two seasons, Smallwood became the head coach at Boise High School, leading the Braves to state tournament appearances in 1986 and 1989.
Welcome back to Boise, Sunny!
“Sunny is one of the premier coaches in the country and success has always followed her where ever she has been. Boise State basketball just got a lot better today,” said Presnell. “We are not only fortunate to hire such a quality person and a fantastic coach, but also a Bronco alum. She has recruited first-round WNBA draft picks, top-10 recruiting classes and numerous postseason honorees. She is one of the premier recruiters in the country and we are lucky she has decided to come home to Boise.”
For the past ten seasons, Smallwood has coached at the University of Nebraska, the last six as the associate head coach. She helped the Cornhuskers to eight postseason appearances, with six trips to the NCAA National Tournament. In six of those seasons, Nebraska won 20 or more games, including a 26-7 mark last season. In 2009-10, Smallwood helped develop Nebraska into one of the top defenses in school history, as they finished 32-2 and won the Big 12 regular season championship.
One of the top players was four-year starting point guard Lindsey Moore, whom Smallwood helped recruit. The two-time Nancy Lieberman Award finalist and 2012-13 national player of the year candidate earned All-America honors in 2013 and a two-time All-Big Ten selection.
Prior to her time in Lincoln, Smallwood coached at the University of California, where she was the 2004-05 associate head coach. Smallwood helped California land one of the top 10 recruiting classes in the nation in her one season in Berkeley.
Smallwood was an assistant coach for 11 seasons at the University of Washington, and served as the recruiting coordinator during her entire time in Seattle. Smallwood helped the Huskies to six NCAA Tournament appearances, including a trip to the Elite Eight in 2001.
During her time at UW, Smallwood helped recruit High School All-American Jamie Redd, UW's all-time leading scorer, and Amber Hall, the school's all-time leading rebounder, along with All-Conference selections Megan Franza, LeAnn Sheets, Loree Payne, Andrea Lalum and Giuliana Mendiola, the 2003 Pac-10 Player of the Year.
Smallwood began her collegiate coaching career at Washington State from 1990-1993, and helped the Cougars earn their first-ever NCAA appearance in her first season.
After earning all-academic honors at Boise State in two seasons, Smallwood became the head coach at Boise High School, leading the Braves to state tournament appearances in 1986 and 1989.
Welcome back to Boise, Sunny!
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