Kentucky WBB hires new assistant coach Jen Hoover

Kyra Elzy has filled out her support staff for the 2022-23 season.

On Monday morning, UK announced that former Wake Forest head coach Jen Hoover was named as an assistant coach for the Kentucky women’s basketball program. Hoover was the lead woman for the Demon Deacons for 10 years from 2012-22 and left the program as the all-time winningest coach.

“We are thrilled to welcome Jen Hoover to the Big Blue Nation as an assistant coach,” Head coach Kyra Elzy said in UK’s press release. “She has 20 years of experience in Division I coaching, 11 in which she was a head coach. Jen brings a wealth of knowledge, a competitive spirit and a contagious energy to the Bluegrass. These are vital attributes that will make an immediate impact on our program. Jen’s coaching philosophy on and off the court align with our core values at Kentucky. She is excited to get to work, and she will hit the recruiting trails later on this summer.”

We've got a new Wildcat on the block! 😺

Welcome to the #BBN, @coachjen_23!#CommitToIt

— Kentucky Women’s Basketball (@KentuckyWBB) July 11, 2022

Hoover will take over the role previously held by Gail Goestenkors, who announced her retirement from on-court coaching in June. Hoover posted an overall coaching record of 142-170 across 11 head coaching seasons, which included one year at High Point (’11-12) before taking over at Wake Forest. She took the Demon Deacons to three WNIT appearances and one NCAA Tournament appearance in the ’20-21 season.

“I am incredibly excited for the opportunity to join this elite-level program at the University of Kentucky,” Hoover said in UK’s release. “From the moment Coach Elzy and I began conversations about this position, I could feel the passion and energy she has for her players, and I could see her vision for the program, which is to win championships both on and off the court. The Kentucky women’s basketball program has proven to be one of the best in the country and I am looking forward to being a part of this special family.”

Hoover first got started her coaching career in 1994 as an assistant coach, which later included stops at California, Virginia, Memphis, James Madison, East Carolina, VCU, and Missouri-Kansas City. She was also a star player in her own right during four seasons at Wake Forest. Hoover scored over 1,700 points and 1,000 rebounds and was named a three-time All-ACC selection. She was eventually inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.