Pepperdine University has officially announced the appointment of Katie Faulkner as the new head coach for the Women’s Basketball team. President Jim Gash and Incoming Director of Athletics Tanner Gardner extended a warm welcome to Faulkner, expressing high expectations for the future of the program.
Faulkner brings a strong track record of ten years in collegiate basketball coaching, with eight years at the Division I level. Her experience includes roles as an assistant coach for Oregon State University and as an associate head coach for the University of Washington. During her tenure at Oregon State, Faulkner contributed to the team achieving an impressive 118-37 record over five seasons, with multiple NCAA appearances and an Elite Eight appearance in 2018. Similarly, at the University of Washington, she played a significant role in helping the Huskies secure their first postseason berth in six years and in signing top-20 recruiting classes in consecutive seasons.
With Faulkner’s extensive coaching experience, she has expressed confidence in her ability to elevate Pepperdine’s Women’s Basketball program to an elite level. She emphasized her commitment to building a value-driven system and to starting player development from the ground up. Faulkner’s vision for the program aligns with President Gash and Director of Athletics Gardner’s aspirations for a successful Women’s Basketball program.
Pepperdine’s decision to appoint Faulkner as the new head coach has received praise from Tina Langley, the current Head Coach for Washington Women’s Basketball, who described Faulkner as a rising star in the profession. Langley expressed gratitude for Faulkner’s contribution to their program and recognized her experience and knowledge of the college basketball landscape, highlighting the immediate impact she is expected to make at Pepperdine.
Faulkner, eager to uphold her commitment to the program, reiterated her dedication to setting new standards and creating a culture of excellence within the team. Despite the challenges faced by the Women’s Basketball program in previous seasons, she remains focused on shaping a bright future for the team. In her interactions with the players, Faulkner has been impressed by their humility and their eagerness to grow and improve. She attributes this to their selflessness and desire to excel, qualities she believes are essential for the team’s success.
As Faulkner begins her tenure as the new head coach, she is prepared to instill a winning mentality and character development among the student-athletes at Pepperdine University. Her appointment represents a significant milestone for the Women’s Basketball program, marking the beginning of a new era under her leadership.
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