Michigan State University Athletics
Niya Butts Named MSU Women's Basketball Assistant Coach
5/21/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
May 21, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Former Tennessee guard Niya Butts (Americus, Ga.) has been named an assistant coach for the Michigan State women's basketball team, head coach Joanne P. McCallie announced today.
"We are thrilled to have Niya join our staff," said McCallie. "She has always been an incredible competitor, both on and off the court. Niya provides valuable experience for our guards as she has experienced great success in the NCAA Tournament. She understands what it takes to pursue championships."
"This is a great opportunity for me," said Butts. "Coach P has had great success and the program at Michigan State is on the rise. I'm looking forward to working with the coaching staff, players and administration.
"After playing in the SEC and working in a smaller conference, this is a chance to work in a great conference, the Big Ten. I couldn't ask for a better situation, and I'm looking forward to the opportunity to coach in this type of atmosphere."
Butts arrives at MSU following two seasons as an assistant coach at Tennessee Technological University. At Tech, she worked with the guards, coordinated recruiting and assisted with Tech's summer camps. Tennessee Tech won the Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular-season championship in 2000-01 and finished with a 24-6 overall mark in her first season. Last year, Tech compiled a 22-8 overall mark and were OVC co-champions with a 13-3 record.
Butts, who played in 111 career games for the Lady Vols, was a four-year letterwinner (1996-2000) and a member of two National Championship teams (1997 and 1998). Tennessee won three SEC titles (1998, 1999 and 2000) during her tenure and she was voted the SEC's Defensive Player of the Year in 1997. In addition, she won the Lady Vols' Unsung Hero Award.
She was a three-time Academic All-SEC selection (1998, 1999 and 2000) and earned Academic Achiever of the Week four times. Butts graduated from Tennessee in 2000 with a bachelor's degree in social work and a minor in psychology.
Butts, who will coach the guards and be an integral part of MSU's recruiting team, begins her duties June 1.
