Amber Whiting led the
Burley (Idaho) girls basketball team to a 25-1 mark in 2022 and a Class 4A state title. Next season, Whiting will guide the BYU Cougars after being named this week as a replacement for Jeff Judkins, who retired from the Provo school after 21 seasons.
Whiting, who played at Weber State in 1999-2000 and BYU in 2000-01, played high school basketball at Fremont (Plain City, Utah). She will be BYU's seventh coach since adding women's basketball in 1972.
"I am super excited about the opportunity to be the head coach at BYU. I've been in basketball my whole life playing, coaching and developing players, and I am looking forward to doing it again at this level," Whiting said in a statement. "Coach Judkins established a great tradition of winning and a strong culture with some incredible players. I can't wait to get on board and continue that legacy and surround myself with a great staff. I am ready to get to work."
Burley won the Idaho 4A title in February, 58-43 over Skyline, as Whiting's junior daughter
Amari Whiting shined with 25 points in the title contest. Amari, a 5-foot-10 Oregon pledge, averaged 26.9 points and 10.5 rebounds for Burley. She earned
MaxPreps Junior All-America Team honorable mention and is regarded as a top 50 prospect by ESPN HoopGurlz.
Amber Whiting led Burley to a 70-37 record over four seasons. The Bobcats finished 5-19 in her first season but then went 20-11, 20-6 and 25-1 last season.
Whiting's husband, Trent, is also a BYU alumni, playing basketball for the Cougars in 2000-01. Her son Jace is signed to play at Boise State after returning from his mission.
"I am thrilled to have Amber Whiting leading our BYU women's basketball team," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said in a statement. "Through our hiring process, we discovered a coach with a well thought out, specific plan for the future of this team. Amber has had a unique and widespread experience in basketball, has a great feel for the women's game and the direction it is heading at BYU."
