SPORTS

Wiggins named interim coach

After assisting the Fresno State women's basketball team to 20 wins and a berth to the WNIT, Adrian Wiggins will remain as the women's basketball coach for the 2005-06 season, interim Athletics Director Dr. Paul Oliaro announced. Wiggins' appointment is for one year at which time a search for a permanent head coach will commence.

 Wiggins replaced Stacy Johnson-Klein on Feb. 9 as interim head coach after she was placed on administrative leave for alleged serious violations of university policy. University President, Dr. John Welty announced his intention to terminate Johnson-Klein's contract on March 2. Johnson-Klein was terminated on March 9 when she accepted the university's disciplinary action.

"I believe Adrian will create stability for the immediate future of the women's basketball program and the current student-athletes," said Oliaro. "He earned the trust and respect of the student-athletes and administration, and I hope the community will support him and the team."

Under Wiggins' guidance the Bulldogs posted a record of 7-3, and advanced to the semi-finals of the WAC tournament, before losing in double overtime to WAC champion Louisiana Tech.

“I have been so impressed and proud of the way Adrian handled the dramatic and traumatic set of events this past month,” said Associate Athletics Director Randy Welniak, who oversees the women's basketball program. "This team has tremendous potential, therefore we felt it was important to maintain continuity in the program for the sake of the student-athletes."

Wiggins is in his third season at Fresno State, serving as the top assistant since the 2001-02 season, in which he helped guide the Bulldog to a 21-win season and the Elite Eight of the WNIT. Wiggins has been responsible for the preseason and postseason workouts and involved with on-the-floor coaching.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Fresno State tradition and to help continue to build a tradition for the women's basketball program ," Wiggins said. "It has been a privilege to coach these young ladies and I'm looking forward to continue to work with them and make them a better team. They have placed a lot of faith and trust in me and that means a lot to me."

Prior to coming to Fresno State, he was the head coach at Cameron University, a Division II school in Lawton, Okla., for two seasons. He led to Cameron to a 25-5 record in his second season, a Lone Star Conference North Division championship and berth in the NCAA tournament. Cameron, making its first NCAA tournament appearance, advanced to the second round. He served as an assistant coach at Cameron for one season and was previously the head coach at Lawton (Okla.) High School for two years before becoming a collegiate assistant coach.           

A 1995 graduate of Cameron, where he was a four-year member of the baseball team. Wiggins received his bachelor's degree in psychology in 1995 and received a master of science degree in alternative studies in 2001.

He and wife, Heather, have a daughter, Aubrey, and a son, William.

Adrian Wiggins Head Coaching Experience

*- Interim head coach