JimBob
03-19-2008, 07:32 AM
Littell reaffirms commitment to OSU Cowgirls
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
3/19/2008
Not only did Kurt Budke have to sweat out the seeding, first-round opponent and site announcements for the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team, he also was awaiting word on whether associate head coach Jim Littell would remain in Stillwater.
Littell had received several inquiries and even fielded a couple of coaching offers in the last week.
In 2002, Littell guided Seward County Community College to a perfect 38-0 record and captured the school’s first-ever national championship.
Littell owns a 628-117 win-loss record as a head coach with Seward Country, Garden Plains (Kan.) High School, Friends University and Oxford (Kan.) High School.
“We’ve had a lot of success which opened (employment) opportunities,” Littell said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I sat down with my family and as we talked, I realized I work for a good person and a great coach. The players are great.
“Sometimes you think the grass is greener on the other side, but my family realized we’re happy to be part of the OSU program. My family enjoys living in Stillwater.”
Littell’s decision to stay was a big relief for Budke.
In three years, Budke and his staff have taken the Cowgirls from 0-16 in the Big 12 to the conference title game and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
At 25-7 this season, the Cowgirls are one win away from tying their win total (26) for the first two seasons under Budke.
Oklahoma State is two wins shy of tying the program’s overall best record of 27-6 from the 1990-91 season.
“He turned down a couple of Division I jobs,” Budke said. “Our program took another step forward because he decided to stay. That helps us to keep pushing forward instead of having to step back to find the right fit for the staff.”
By LYNN JACOBSEN World Sports Writer
3/19/2008
Not only did Kurt Budke have to sweat out the seeding, first-round opponent and site announcements for the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team, he also was awaiting word on whether associate head coach Jim Littell would remain in Stillwater.
Littell had received several inquiries and even fielded a couple of coaching offers in the last week.
In 2002, Littell guided Seward County Community College to a perfect 38-0 record and captured the school’s first-ever national championship.
Littell owns a 628-117 win-loss record as a head coach with Seward Country, Garden Plains (Kan.) High School, Friends University and Oxford (Kan.) High School.
“We’ve had a lot of success which opened (employment) opportunities,” Littell said in a phone interview Tuesday. “I sat down with my family and as we talked, I realized I work for a good person and a great coach. The players are great.
“Sometimes you think the grass is greener on the other side, but my family realized we’re happy to be part of the OSU program. My family enjoys living in Stillwater.”
Littell’s decision to stay was a big relief for Budke.
In three years, Budke and his staff have taken the Cowgirls from 0-16 in the Big 12 to the conference title game and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament.
At 25-7 this season, the Cowgirls are one win away from tying their win total (26) for the first two seasons under Budke.
Oklahoma State is two wins shy of tying the program’s overall best record of 27-6 from the 1990-91 season.
“He turned down a couple of Division I jobs,” Budke said. “Our program took another step forward because he decided to stay. That helps us to keep pushing forward instead of having to step back to find the right fit for the staff.”