A New Chapter for Gaucho Women's Basketball
The UC Santa Barbara women's basketball program announced a significant addition to its coaching roster this week, naming Kalen Eddings as its new assistant coach. The move signals the program's intent to deepen its player development capabilities and reinforce a culture of growth both on and off the court.
Eddings arrives after a productive stint as an assistant on the men's staff at Westmont University, where he earned a reputation for shaping talent and fostering holistic development among student‑athletes. His recent experience includes a role in player development at 94FEETOFGAME, a leading basketball training app guided by Phil Handy, assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
Coach Jimenez Praises Eddings' Impact
Head Coach Renee Jimenez highlighted Eddings' expertise as an educator of the game, emphasizing his ability to connect with players and his enthusiasm for contributing to the Gauchos' ambitions. "Kalen brings a wealth of knowledge and passion that aligns perfectly with our vision," Jimenez said in the announcement.
Prior to Westmont, Eddings honed his craft in player development at 94FEETOFGAME, where he collaborated with Phil Handy, a key figure in the Dallas Mavericks' coaching staff. This experience exposed him to elite professional strategies and reinforced his commitment to advancing player performance through innovative methods.
A Track Record of Success
Eddings' coaching journey includes head positions at Cape Fear Christian Academy and Purnell Swell High School, where he guided multiple players into collegiate careers and earned coach‑of‑the‑year honors. At the University of North Carolina at Pembroke, he helped the Braves capture back‑to‑back conference titles and reach historic milestones in the NCAA Division II tournament.
A graduate of East Carolina University with a Bachelor's degree in exercise science and a Master's in Sport and Fitness Administration from UNC Pembroke, Eddings blends academic insight with practical experience. He expressed excitement about joining the Gaucho family, stating his commitment to advancing the program's success both on the hardwood and within the broader campus community.