Original article (Bassett Tabbed to Lead Mountaineer Women’s Basketball) on Western Colorado University’s athletics website.
Western Colorado Director of Athletics Dr. Amber Burdge on Monday, April 27, announced the hiring of K.C. Bassett as the head coach for the Mountaineers’ women’s basketball program.
“K.C. Bassett is a proven winner who understands how to build and sustain excellence in a way that aligns with Western Colorado’s values,” said Burdge. “Her record speaks for itself with over 230 wins, multiple conference championships, national tournament appearances, and national coach of the year recognition.
“Just as important,” added Burdge, “she has demonstrated the ability to create an environment where student-athletes can develop a strong team culture, pursue academic excellence, and compete with pride. We are excited for the leadership she will bring to Western women’s basketball and to the Mountaineer community.”
Bassett comes to Western Colorado following one year as the assistant coach at the University of Nebraska Kearney and 11 seasons (2014-2025) as the head coach of Sterling (Kan.) College.
“I’m truly grateful and excited for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at Western Colorado University. I want to thank President Baca, Director of Athletics Amber Burdge, and the entire search committee for believing in me and trusting me with this program,” stated Bassett. “My goal is to build a culture that fills our players, alumnae, and community with pride, one that goes beyond basketball and focuses on growth, relationships, and developing strong, confident female leaders.
“We will compete at a high level in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference while preparing our student-athletes for success long after their playing days are over. I can’t wait to get started.”
While leading the Lady Warriors at Sterling she compiled a record of 231-115, posting two 30+ win seasons, four 20+ win seasons, three Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) regular season titles and three KCAC tournament titles.
Sterling advanced to the NAIA national tournament six times during her tenure – 2019, 2020, 2021 2022, 2023, 2025 – including the 2020-21 campaign in which the Lady Warriors’ only defeat in a 30-1 season came in the NAIA tournament’s Round of 16, spurring the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association to name Bassett its NAIA 2021 National Coach of the Year.
A three-time KCAC Women’s Basketball Coach of the Year (2021 2022, 2023), Bassett was also named the KCAC Champion of Character Coach of the Year in her initial season leading the Lady Warriors (2014-15).
During her tenure at the head of the Sterling program, six Lady Warriors earned 12 NAIA All-American honors, three were voted the KCAC Player of the Year, and four were named the KCAC Freshman/Newcomer of the Year. In all during her 11 seasons leading Sterling, 16 players earned 40 All-KCAC selections.
Bassett’s teams at Sterling routinely matched their success on the court with success in the classroom. Eight players on the 2024-25 squad would earn Daktronics-NAIA Scholar Athlete (NAIA Academic All-American) honors, and the 2023-24 team posted a cumulative team grade point average of 3.81, which was the highest GPA among the NAIA’s women’s basketball programs.
Bassett was the assistant coach for Sterling from 2007-14 following her four-year playing career with the Lady Warriors. She was a two-time NAIA All-America, a three-time First-Team All-KCAC honoree, a two-time NAIA Scholar Athlete, and in October 2016 was inducted into the Sterling College Athletics Hall of Fame.
Bassett will start her tenure at Western immediately.