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SALT LAKE CITY â After 21 seasons as the head coach of the women's basketball team at BYU, Jeff Judkins is returning to his alma mater.
The all-time winningest coach at BYU and former Utah men's basketball All-WAC player joins Lynne Roberts' roster as an assistant coach who will oversee player development and be the team's community ambassador, according to the university.
Judkins will provide expertise to a women's team positioned to be at the top of the Pac-12 a year after its Sweet 16 loss to eventual champion LSU and will "work closely on the court with players for individual skill development and team defense. He will also be a liaison with the community, fans and LDS Institute on campus."
"Juddy is not only one of the best basketball coaches in the history of the West Coast Conference, BYU, and our state, he's also one of the best Utah Utes athletes in our department's rich history," Roberts said in a statement. "I have known him well since before coming to Utah, with my time coaching against him in the WCC at University of the Pacific.
"I've always enjoyed his insights, and as a competitor of BYU for well over a decade, I have experienced firsthand what tremendous basketball strategies he holds and the strong player development he will bring to our program. Beyond basketball, Juddy will be a great resource and trusted connection for our program in the greater Salt Lake City community as we continue to take our program to new heights. I'm thrilled to be able to bring him in on our staff and glad that he will be continuing his career where it all started on The Hill."
Judkins was a staple at BYU, where he finished with a 454-204 record and helped the Cougars to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances and six conference coach of the year awards before he retired in April 2022.
"We turned this program into a consistent winner that wins conference championships and goes to the tournament on a regular basis," Judkins said as part of his retirement announcement. "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."Â
Judkins returns to Utah where he was an assistant coach for the men's team from 1989-99 and was a player from 1974-78. The former three-time first team All-WAC member finished his career with 1,740 points, good for seventh in school history.
"I have loved basketball since I was a child, I still do," Judkins said in a statement. "There is something therapeutic about the strategy and preparation for the game. When coach Roberts approached me about assisting her efforts, I was honored. I played for the Utes, I graduated from the University of Utah and I coached at the university for 10 years. So not surprisingly, I have always had a fond spot for the U. This opportunity allows me to contribute to the university and the women's basketball program; but most importantly, it allows me to stay in the game I love so much."
After his collegiate career at Utah, Judkins was drafted in the second round of the NBA draft by the Boston Celtics in 1978. He later played for the Portland Trail Blazers, Detroit Pistons and the Utah Jazz.
