Named the ninth head coach in program history in April of 2019, Candi Whitaker enters her fifth season as the head coach of Griffon Women's Basketball.
2022-23 SEASON
The program had an impressive record of 24-7 overall and 18-4 in the MIAA, which included wins over multiple ranked teams throughout the season. Their success earned them a spot in the conference tournament. The team boasted the talented Brionna Budgetts, who was awarded the MIAA Player of the Week title twice (Jan 24, 2023, and Feb 6, 2023). Additionally, four players were selected for the All-MIAA teams. Prior to the season, Whitaker was awarded the inaugural Bill Snyder Woman of Impact Award by the St. Joseph Sports Commission.
2021-22 SEASON
Whitaker and the Griffons found a winning formula in 2021-22, carving the program's best season since 1995. Missouri Western went 24-10 overall and 14-8 in the MIAA -- good enough to finish fourth in the conference. Whitaker's team went 1-1 in the MIAA tournament but breezed through its first games of the Central Region Championships. The Griffons knocked off No. 10 nationally ranked Southwestern Oklahoma, 111-77, and set an NCAA record for the largest margin of victory by a #7 seed over a #2 seed. Missouri Western followed that up with a 72-59 victory over Nebraska Kearney. Whitaker guided her squad to a nail-biting win over No. 4-nationally ranked Fort Hays State, 70-69. Brionna Budgetts was named the Central Region Most Outstanding Player and seniors Corbyn Cunningham and Jaelyn Haggard joined her on the All-Tournament Team.
The Griffon's season ended against No. 6 Grand Valley State in the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Alabama. This was MWSU's first trip to the Elite Eight since going back-to-back seasons in 1994 and 1995. At the Elite Eight, Sophomore Kadyn Cobb received the prestigious Elite 90 Award given to the student with the highest GPA at the Elite Eight. Cobb was the first Missouri Western Student-Athlete to ever receive this award.
In addition to the historic post-season run, the Griffons lead the league in points per game with 74.2 and in rebounds per game with 41.1. Three players brought home four All-MIAA awards, including sophomore Connie Clarke, receiving both 2nd Team All-MIAA and All-Defensive Team. Corbyn Cunningham and Brionna Budgetts received All-MIAA Honorable Mention.
2020-2021 SEASON
Missouri Western finished 6-16 during the COVID-19-shortened 2020-21 season after having to replace all five starters from the previous season.
2019-2020 SEASON
After taking over the reins as Head Coach of the Griffons in April of 2019, Whitaker worked hard to quickly assemble a roster ready to compete in the MIAA. She did just that, leading the Griffons to a 21-8 record including a fourth-place finish in the MIAA after being selected eleventh in the pre-season polls. That team posted multiple wins over nationally ranked opponents including #10 Fort Hays State and #18 Central Missouri. Five Griffons earned All-MIAA honors during her first season, including All-MIAA First Team member Corbyn Cunningham.
BEFORE MWSU
Prior to coming to MWSU, Whitaker was the head coach at Texas Tech from 2013-18. She was also an associate head coach at Oklahoma State (2012-13) and the head coach at Missouri-Kansas City (2006-12). She has coached 24 student-athletes to All-conference honors, 47 to academic all-conference status, and produced seven nationally ranked recruiting classes. As a head coach, Whitaker’s student-athletes have posted a 100 percent graduation rate.
Named the sixth head coach at her alma mater in 2013, Whitaker turned around the program between year one and year two, going from six wins to 15. In five seasons leading the Lady Raiders, Whitaker had four players named All-Big 12. Whitaker led Texas Tech to four consecutive Big 12 Championship appearances and back-to-back quarterfinal appearances. Under Whitaker’s guidance, 11 Lady Raiders were named Academic All-Big 12 with eight earning spots on the Dean’s or President’s List. Following the 2016-17 season, Recee' Caldwell was awarded the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar Award for her excellence on the court and in the classroom
Prior to one season as associate head coach at Oklahoma State, Whitaker became one of the youngest head coaches in women’s basketball, taking over the UMKC women’s program at age 26. She won 89 games at UMKC and left as the program’s second-winningest head coach. She led the ‘Roos to their first two NCAA Division I postseason appearances, the 2010 WBI, and the 2012 WNIT. Whitaker’s 2011-12 UMKC team went 22-12 and advanced to the Summit League Tournament Championship for the first time in seven years. It remains just the second 20-win season in the program’s time as a Division I member. Between 2008 and 2012, Whitaker produced more wins than UMKC had seen in a four-year period in 16 years. Whitaker recruited and coached UMKC’s all-time leading scorer Chazny Morris, and she mentored 36 Academic All-Conference selections.
Whitaker began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Valparaiso from 2002-04. During her time at Valpo, the Crusaders won back-to-back Mid-Continent Conference Tournament Championships, achieved two NCAA Tournament berths, and two 20-win seasons.
Then Candi White, Whitaker helped Texas Tech to back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances as a student-athlete from 2000-02. She started and played in all 64 games over two seasons under legendary head coach Marsha Sharp while totaling 232 points, 249 assists and 87 steals.
Year-By-Year Record at MWSU:
2019-20: 21-8 (13-6 MIAA) | MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals
2020-21: 6-16 (6-16 MIAA) |
2021-22: 24-10 (14-8 MIAA) | MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals | Central Region Champions | Elite Eight
2022-23: 24-10 (18-4 MIAA) | MIAA Tournament Quarterfinals
