Fayetteville, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - The University of Arkansas announced the hiring of former ESPN analyst Jimmy Dykes as its head women's basketball coach on Sunday.
Dykes, a graduate of Arkansas and three-year letterman on the basketball team, was named the eighth head women's coach in Razorback history and replaces Tom Collen, who was relieved of his duties Friday after seven seasons at the helm.
"After meeting with him and discussing our program, it was clear to me that Jimmy Dykes is not only the best leader for our women's basketball program, but also the best coach for the student-athletes in our program," Arkansas director of athletics Jeff Long said in a statement. "I have known Jimmy for many years but learned of his passion and commitment to his alma mater, the University of Arkansas, when I arrived on campus. Jimmy's coaching pedigree working with some of the best coaches in the business, combined with his ability to teach the game of basketball, made him the clear choice as the head women's basketball coach at the University of Arkansas."
It's the first head coaching job at the college level for the 52-year-old Dykes, who served under legendary coach Eddie Sutton as an assistant at Arkansas (1984-85), Kentucky (1987-89) and Oklahoma State (1990-91).
Dykes also served as a college scout for the NBA's Seattle SuperSonics from 1991-93 before joining ESPN, where he worked for nearly 20 years as a game and studio analyst for men's and women's college basketball among other duties.
Dykes takes over an Arkansas squad that posted a 19-11 record in 2013-14, culminating in a loss to 14th-seeded Ole Miss in the opening round of the Southeastern Conference Tournament.
[SportsNetwork.com]
