Centennial coach leaving for Pacific

Nick Christensen

Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | 8:59 a.m.

This summer, Centennial High will send five members of its girls' basketball team to NCAA schools.

Make that six.

Karen Weitz, architect of the program that won four consecutive 4A state titles, accepted a position Friday to be an assistant coach at the University of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif. She leaves with the fourth-most coaching wins in state girls' basketball history.

"At the end of the season, I said it'd have to be something I couldn't turn down," Weitz said. "I think it will be something to make me grow as a person as well."

In six years as Centennial's head coach, Weitz guided the Bulldogs to a 188-11 record and six Northwest Division titles. Centennial's 2002 state championship victory marked the first time since 1980 a team from Southern Nevada won the girls' basketball title. The Bulldogs scored a state record 2,931 points in 2004-05.

Before going to Centennial in 1999, Weitz guided Cheyenne to a 79-27 record and the 1998 division championship. She was named the Sun's All-State coach of the year in 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

Earlier this month, Weitz interviewed with Montana Tech in Butte about its head coaching vacancy. Shortly after that interview, Pacific coach Craig Jackson contacted her about being an assistant and recruiting coordinator.

"He made me feel like he really wants me to be a part of that program," Weitz said.

She told her players about her departure at an "emotional" meeting on Saturday. Sophomore Italee Lucas, the Sun's player of the year in 2005, said she and her teammates were happy to see Weitz get an opportunity at the next level.

"She's a good coach. I'm proud. I'm glad she's going on to better things," Lucas said. "She has to do what she has to do. She has my full support."

This year, five Centennial seniors signed with NCAA colleges -- Whitley Cox with Northern Colorado, Whitney Price with Colorado State Pueblo, Sierra Chambers with St. Mary's College, Ashley Blake at Cal State Northridge and Jordyn Bowen with Idaho.

"People assume I'm leaving because they're done," Weitz said. "It's a nice opportunity and the timing's right. I turned down some stuff last year because the timing wasn't right. It was nice to win four (titles) in a row with these five kids."

Pacific finished last in the Big West last season with a 2-16 record, 5-22 overall.

Weitz said she's hopeful that someone who runs a program similar to the way she does will be hired to replace her. She said she doesn't expect any Centennial assistants to apply for the vacancy.

Attempts to reach Centennial administrators were unsuccessful.

"It's a tough spot to step in to," Weitz said. "It's going to take someone who is really secure with themselves and can embrace this program for what it's done and build on that."