Becky Burke has begun the process of reshaping the Arizona women’s basketball coaching staff.
The program on Monday announced the addition of Todd Starkey as associate head coach. Starkey spent the past 10 seasons as the head coach at Kent State, which announced his departure from the program “for another coaching opportunity” shortly before the UA’s announcement.
"We are thrilled to have Todd Starkey join our coaching staff here at Arizona," Burke said in a news release. "He is an incredible basketball mind, relationship builder and human being.
Kent State head coach Todd Starkey reacts to a play against Buffalo during the first half of the MAC Championship Game in Cleveland, March 16, 2024.
“Our goal is to compete for Big 12 Championships and recruit the best players in the country, and with the addition of Coach Starkey we have put ourselves in position to do so. I am grateful that a coach of Todd's caliber has decided to come be a Wildcat."
Starkey, 54, posted a 179-127 record with the Golden Flashes, making one NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024. Kent State won 20-plus games four times, including three of Starkey’s final four seasons. The Golden Flashes won 19 games three times, including Starkey’s first season, 2016-17, when he was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year.
Burke competed against Starkey at her last stop, Buffalo, which is also a member of the MAC. The Golden Flashes defeated the Bulls in the 2024 MAC Championship Game.
Starkey spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Indiana. Before that, he was the head coach at Division II Lenoir-Rhyne, where he posted a 165-95 record over nine seasons.
"I couldn't be more excited to join Coach Burke and her staff,” Starkey said in the release. “Her competitive passion for the game is unmatched and inspiring.
“I am very grateful to the Kent State community for all of their incredible support over the past 10 years. I look forward to bringing the same passion to pursue championships to Arizona and Coach Burke's staff.”
The UA recently posted three openings for assistant coaches. The associate head coach position had been held by Ashley Odom. General Manager Michelle Marciniak announced she was leaving the program to take care of her mother, who has Alzheimer's disease.
