Boise State announced the hiring of Jen Warden as the new head coach of the womens basketball program. In the 32-year history of the program Warden becomes only the fifth head coach.Warden replaces Trisha Stevens who resigned from the position on March 8th.
Coach Warden inherits a Bronco program coming off its first year of membership in the WAC, ending the season 10-20 overall, 5-13 in league play, finishing in eighth place in the conference standings. The Broncos advanced to the second round of the 2002 Williams WAC Post-Season Tournament before bowing out to nationally ranked Louisiana Tech. The Broncos will return nine of 11 student athletes from this seasons squad for the 2002-03 campaign along with three current high school seniors who signed early letters-of-intent in November.
Warden brings an impressive resume to Boise State with extensive experience in collegiate coaching and recruiting at the NCAA Division I level. Warden has spent the last ten years as a member of the University of Colorado coaching staff where she recently helped guide the Buffaloes to the 2002 NCAA West Regional Final in Boise this past weekend. During her ten years at Colorado the Buffaloes qualified to the NCAA tournament seven times including three trips to the Elite Eight.
Warden has served as Colorados top assistant and recruiting coordinator since 1997 where she is credited with helping bring several highly regarded recruiting classes to Boulder.
Warden, 31, played for Ceal Barry during CUs first Big Eight Championship season in 1989. During her playing career, she earned Academic All-Big Eight honors and was named Colorado Co-Sportswoman-of-the-Year, along with her coaches and teammates from the 89 championship team.
Warden, who was born in LaJolla, California, graduated from the University of Colorado in 1993 with a degree in molecular, cellular and developmental biology. The former Jen Tubergen was married August 10, 1996 to Larry Warden, Jr.