After leading her team to the first outright league title in school history, Montana State head coach Tricia Binford has been named the Big Sky Conference Coach of the Year.
“I am just so proud of this team and this honor is an indication of how well the team did and what they accomplished over the course of a season,” Binford said in an MSU press release. “From the start we knew this group was special and it’s been a very fun season. We still have goals to reach and we’re focused on the task at hand.”
MSU’s 11th-year head coach helped Montana State to a 14-4 Big Sky record for the first non-shared conference title in school history. MSU shared league crowns in 1993, 2002 and 2003. This season, MSU posted a 21-8 record, the first 20-win season of Binford’s career.
“The Montana State women’s basketball program has had an outstanding season and that’s to the credit of Tricia Binford and her coaching staff,” MSU Director of Athletics Peter Fields said in a press release. “She is an outstanding leader and mentor to these young women, and the program is a model of stability and consistency. Coach Binford demands excellence on the court, in the classroom and in the community. She is an outstanding person that is a big part of our Bobcat family.”
In addition, Binford signed a three-year contract renewal, pending Board of Regents approval, to continue at the helm of the Bobcat program, per a MSU press release.
“As far as the contract renewal, I couldn’t be more thankful,” Binford said. “My family and I love Bozeman and Montana and it’s become our home. This community really rallied around us this season, but it’s been their support over the past 11 years that have meant so much to the program and I look forward to continuing that relationship.”
Binford is currently the third longest tenured head coach in the 12-member Big Sky Conference.
“I’m also very appreciative of Dr. Cruzado and Peter Fields for their support and leadership,” Binford said. “To have such a strong foundation is very important when we’re out recruiting kids to come to an institution with such a high standing.”
Binford is the all-time winningest coach in MSU history with 171 victories and her 103 Big Sky Conference wins is fourth all-time in the league’s record book. Binford’s 14 Big Sky victories are the most in school history, as well.
“She deserves it,” MSU senior point guard Lindsay Stockton said. “Having a point-guard coach; having a coach that wanted me from the start; and having a coach that will go all in for you is the greatest.
“Stability is great for a program. And, that consistency is good. It’s good for players coming in and for the girls that are here.”
Montana State’s banner season has come with a treasure trove of accolades as Binford is yet another Bobcat to earn an individual award. Senior forward Jasmine Hommes was the conference’s Most Valuable Player and a unanimous first-team All-Big Sky selection. Junior Riley Nordgaard was named the Newcomer of the Year, and junior Peyton Ferris was named the conference’s Top Reserve.
The conference’s Coach of the Year is similar to the voting process for the all-conference awards, with coaches voting for the award. Coaches were not allowed to vote for themselves.
The Bobcats enter this week’s Big Sky Tournament in Reno as the No. 1 seed. MSU takes on No. 9 Idaho State at 12:05 p.m. PST on Wednesday.
