LARAMIE, Wyo. (March 21, 2016) – Allen Edwards will be the 21st head coach of the Cowboy basketball program, University of Wyoming Athletics Director Tom Burman announced Monday.
According to a release, Edwards assumes control of the Cowboys after serving as an assistant under Larry Shyatt the previous five seasons and has agreed to terms on a five-year contract with UW that includes a base salary of $200,004 per year and other guaranteed compensation of $290,000 for a total annual guaranteed compensation of $490,004. Those numbers could go up with performance-based incentives.
“An institution is fortunate when it has the opportunity to hire its next head coach from within a successful program,” Burman said in the release. “Larry Shyatt’s Cowboy basketball legacy has allowed us to do that. We are thrilled to place its future in the hands of Allen Edwards. His basketball pedigree is undeniable, including two national championships with one of the game’s most storied programs, Kentucky. He has coached with, and played under some of the game’s finest coaches. During his five years here, his impact on our program has been significant, while earning the respect of our players. We believe Wyoming basketball has an extremely bright future.”
“This opportunity to lead the Wyoming Cowboys is a blessing I’m truly thankful for,” Edwards said. “I’d like to thank Larry Shyatt for bringing me to Laramie and allowing me to grow and develop as a professional with his help. My gratitude to Tom Burman, as well, for the faith that I can continue the tradition of success in the game of basketball and the game of life that Larry has established for this program.”
Since joining the program in 2011, Edwards has helped the Pokes compile an overall record of 98-69. He helped coach Larry Nance Jr., who was picked 27th overall in the first round of last year’s NBA draft by the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I want to congratulate coach Shyatt on the outstanding job he did at Wyoming,” Nance said. “He took a 10-win program to nearly four-straight seasons with 20 wins. It’s awesome to see him get some time to relax for a little bit. He’s earned that. In the same breath, he couldn’t be handing off the program to a more capable person. Coach Edwards is one of the smartest basketball minds I know, even at the NBA level. How he handles his players and staff, he commands respect and he deserves it. Allen is the right man for the job and he will continue the success there at Wyoming.”
Edwards also took the reins for one game on Jan. 22, 2014, to lead Wyoming to a come-from-behind 66-59 win at Air Force when Shyatt was ill.
The following information was provided by UW Athletics:
The Edwards’ File
Coaching History
2011-present – Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2010-11 – Western Kentucky as an Assistant Coach
2009-10 – Towson University as an Assistant Coach
2006-09 – VCU as an Assistant Coach
2003-06 – Morehead State as an Assistant Coach
2002-03 – Kentucky as an Assistant Coach
NCAA Championship Teams (2)
1998 – NCAA Champions at Kentucky as a Player
1996 – NCAA Champions at Kentucky as a Player
Postseason Berths (12)
(NCAA Tournament: 2 National Championships, 8 Appearances)
(National Invitation Tournament: 1 Appearance)
(College Basketball Invitational: 2 Quarterfinal Appearances, 3 Appearances)
2015 – NCAA Second Round at Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2014 – CBI First Round at Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2013 – CBI Quarterfinals at Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2012 – CBI Quarterfinals at Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2009 – NCAA First Round at VCU as an Assistant Coach
2008 – NIT First Round at VCU as an Assistant Coach
2007 – NCAA Second Round at VCU as an Assistant Coach
2003 – NCAA Elite Eight at Kentucky as an Assistant Coach
1998 – NCAA Champions at Kentucky as a Player
1997 – NCAA Runner-Up at Kentucky as a Player
1996 – NCAA Champions at Kentucky as a Player
1995 – NCAA Elite Eight at Kentucky as a Player
Conference Championship Teams (14)
2015 – MW Tournament Champions at Wyoming as an Assistant Coach
2009 – CAA Regular-Season and Tournament Champions as an Assistant Coach
2008 – CAA Regular-Season Champions as an Assistant Coach
2007 – CAA Regular-Season and Tournament Champions as an Assistant Coach
2003 – SEC Regular-Season and Tournament Champions as an Assistant Coach
1998 – SEC Regular-Season and Tournament Champions as a Player
1997 – SEC Tournament Champions as a Player
1996 – SEC Regular-Season Champions as a Player
1995 – SEC Regular-Season and Tournament Champions as a Player