There are no more head coaching jobs in Division I women’s college basketball available in Colorado.
As expected, former Colorado assistant Jen Warden on Tuesday was named the new coach at Colorado State, replacing Chris Denker, who resigned last month after three disappointing seasons.
“We’re so excited to be coming home,” Warden said after CSU athletic director Mark Driscoll announced the hiring. “I think it’s the perfect fit for me and my family.”
Warden, who grew up in Denver and was an all-state basketball player at Denver Christian, moves to CSU from Boise State, where she began her head coaching career three years ago. She served 10 years as a CU assistant under her former coach, Ceal Barry.
When Barry resigned in February after 22 years on the job, Warden was the first coach she mentioned as a possible replacement. Warden withdrew herself from consideration early in that process, and CU hired former Tulsa coach Kathy McConnell-Miller two weeks ago.
Warden and McConnell-Miller competed against each other in the Western Athletic Conference.
At Boise State, Warden compiled a 29-59 record as the program transitioned from the Big Sky Conference to the stronger WAC. At CU and Boise State, Warden built a reputation as a top recruiter, and that, said Driscoll, was a major factor in her hiring.
“Jen is a person who brings great energy, knowledge and enthusiasm to our program,” Driscoll said. “From the moment we first discussed this position with her, it was apparent she was an individual who can foster growth for our program and provide our student-athletes with a successful athletic and academic experience.
“There were many appealing things about Jen’s candidacy. She has a detailed knowledge about the players and coaches in the state of Colorado. Jen has the well-deserved reputation as an excellent recruiter.”
Warden was one of two finalists for the job, along with Arizona State assistant Meg Sanders, who withdrew her candidacy over the weekend after visiting the CSU campus late last week. She cited personal reasons for her withdrawal.
Earlier in the search process, Bowling Green coach Curt Miller, a former CSU assistant under the highly successful Tom Collen, withdrew his candidacy.
Denker resigned after a tumultuous season that included complaints from 12 of the 14 players, which resulted in meetings with Driscoll.
Warden visited and interviewed with Driscoll and others early last week.
“I think all the surface things are there,” she said. “The Mountain West is a great conference, and Fort Collins is a great college town. Obviously, there’s been a lot of success in the program. And what breathes life into the whole thing is the leadership in the administration that’s there.”
She said she’s also excited about the players coming back, especially the inside tandem of Melissa Dennett and Lindsay Thomas.
“I have some fuzzy plans that will take shape to a greater extent, the more time I have in the film room,” Warden said. “I just really want some time to look at what we have and tailor what we have to what we want to do. But with Dennett and Thomas, I know we’re going to be a good rebounding team.”
The former Jen Tubergen, Warden is married and the mother of two young sons. Driscoll said she agreed to a five-year contract with a base starting salary of $115,000.
Staff writer Joseph Sanchez can be reached at 303-820-5458 or jsanchez@denverpost.com.
