Women's Basketball Southern Conference

Ed Wyant To Coach Wofford Women's Basketball

The Wofford College Athletic Department has announced the hiring of Ed Wyant as head women's basketball coach.

Wyant has served the last seven years as an assistant coach with the University of New Mexico women's basketball team. His players, who completed their eligibility at UNM, had a 100 percent graduation rate throughout his tenure and posted a 3.26 team GPA this year.

Prior to Wyant's arrival at New Mexico, the Lady Lobos had won only 14 games in the previous five years. In his first season at UNM with Head Coach Don Flanagan, the Lady Lobos won 14 games while inheriting the same starting five from the previous season. During his seven years in Albuquerque, the Lady Lobos advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and made a pair of WNIT appearances. This year's squad posted a 22-9 record and earned its second NCAA berth in the last five years. The 1997-98 team became the first in school history to win a Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title and reach the NCAA Tournament. The 2000-01 team advanced to the WNIT championship game.

"We couldn't be more excited and pleased to have someone like Ed Wyant join our staff," Wofford Athletic Director Richard Johnson said. "Ed brings a high level of maturity, professionalism, and success to our women's team.

"Ed is simply a perfect fit for Wofford. He is a teacher and understands the importance of academics. In addition to the obvious achievements on the court, the University of New Mexico women's basketball program has also been very impressive in the classroom. We look forward to Ed making a very positive impact on not just our women's basketball team, but also the Wofford community as a whole."

A native of Pennsylvania and a 1983 graduate of East Stroudsburg University, Wyant has a total of 18 years of successful experience on the collegiate and high school levels. Prior to coming to the University of New Mexico, he was the head coach at Sandia High School in Albuquerque, where he turned around a program that went 7-16 the year before he arrived to one that went 86-37 in his five seasons. He was previously an assistant for six years under Flanagan at Eldorado High School in Albuquerque. He also compiled a 93-16 record as the junior varsity coach.

"I'm ecstatic about the opportunity to come to Wofford," Wyant said. "Wofford has a tremendous academic environment and excellent facilities to attract both top-notch students and highly skilled athletes.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge. I had a real good feel on my visit. There was a positive karma from a lot of different people."
Wyant has also been instrumental in the surge of interest in New Mexico women's basketball. Prior to his 1995 arrival on campus, the Lady Lobos had sold nine season tickets and averaged 151 fans per game. UNM had season ticket sales of 5,506 this year while its average attendance of 9,217 ranked fifth in the nation.

"Wofford is getting an outstanding coach, teacher, and person in Ed Wyant," University of New Mexico Senior Associate Athletic Director Bill McGillis said. "He has played a very important role in building a model program at the University of New Mexico and he is well prepared for this opportunity.

"Ed's primary concern will be that each and every student-athlete enjoys a wonderful educational experience, and I can assure you that the women's basketball program will bring great credit to the college. We will miss him immensely."

Wyant and his wife, Renee, are the parents of two sons: Gage, 8, and Brady, 4.