Southern Oregon University announced this week that David Heard, a longtime figure in the region’s basketball community, will serve as the interim head coach of the women’s basketball program for the upcoming 2026‑27 season.
A Coach With Deep Roots
Heard’s connection to the university stretches back to his student‑athlete days at SOU, where he earned a place in the record books with the highest career three‑point percentage in program history.
After a 34‑year career in the Central Point School District, including 11 years as athletic director at Crater High, Heard retired from public‑school administration but remained a familiar presence in the gym.
His coaching résumé is impressive: from 1995 to 2017 he guided the Crater High girls basketball team to a 255‑85 record, captured six state tournament trophies and collected seven conference titles, earning two Southern Oregon Conference Coach of the Year honors.
He also amassed a 255‑85 record as a coach, was named OSAA’s Class 5A Athletic Director of the Year in 2023 and received the Central Point Chamber of Commerce’s Educator of the Year award in 2020.
Legacy and New Beginnings
He succeeds Carlotta Kloppenburg‑Pruitt, whose 134‑31 record and five Cascade Conference titles set a high bar; Heard says he intends to preserve the standards of excellence both on the court and in the classroom.
Beyond wins and losses, Heard emphasizes the development of student‑athletes who will contribute positively to the community, a philosophy he cultivated while watching his own daughter, Mallory, compete for the Raiders from 2017 to 2022.
The university’s athletic director, Matt Sayre, praised Heard’s blend of experience and institutional knowledge, noting that his interim role is designed to ensure continuity while a permanent search proceeds.