Becky Burke adds pair to Arizona staff who played for her at Embry-Riddle

Becky Burke went back to the early days of her coaching career for the latest additions to her staff.

Arizona announced Tuesday that Jenna Knudson, who played for Burke at Embry-Riddle in Prescott, is joining the women’s basketball program as an assistant coach.

The UA added another Embry-Riddle alum in Allese Williams as director of staff operations.

Burke was the first head coach at Embry-Riddle when the Eagles launched women’s basketball in 2015. Embry-Riddle had an 81-29 record across Knudson’s four seasons. She was a three-time all-conference pick and set the program record in steals.

Knudson, who’s from Sterling, Colorado, served as an assistant coach the past two seasons at Drury University in Springfield, Missouri. Before that, Knudson spent four seasons as a graduate assistant and assistant coach at Quincy University in Quincy, Illinois.

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“Jenna is one of the best young coaches in the game, and we are thrilled that she has joined us here at Arizona,” Burke said in a news release. “She’s a tireless worker that builds great relationships with everyone she comes in contact with on and off the floor. Jenna’s energy and passion is contagious and will positively impact our program in many ways.”

Williams, who’s from Canyon Country, California, also played for Burke at Embry-Riddle. Williams spent the past two seasons as director of basketball operations at Buffalo under Burke. Williams previously worked in communications and operations for the athletic department at Alabama.

“Allese is genuinely an incredible person who takes a tremendous amount of pride in her work and job,” Burke said. “I am so glad to be able to keep Allese alongside of me as we transition from Buffalo to Tucson. I look forward to continuing to work together on winning championships and building champions here at Arizona.”