MALIBU, California – After two seasons as the head coach of the Pepperdine women's basketball program, Delisha Milton-Jones has announced her departure to become an assistant coach at Syracuse University.
 
"With this being my first real job – because playing basketball definitely never felt like a job – being able to be employed by Pepperdine University has been an awesome experience," Milton-Jones said. "It felt like an expedited course of learning in my short time here. I have a lot of appreciation for President Andy Benton and Athletic Director Steve Potts. They saw something in me, probably more than I saw in myself. They granted me an opportunity, and I really wanted to make sure that I made the most of that opportunity, one that I could look back and be proud of, but even more, for them to be proud. It's definitely a good feeling that things have been turned around in a short period of time and that I'm leaving the program in a good position. We've had exponential growth and that shows the commitment that these young women and the coaching staff have all had.
 
"Heading to Syracuse is a stepping stone toward something greater. What that is, I don't know yet, but for anyone who wants to be more skilled in their craft, it will serve me well to be put in a position to learn from the best. Me being a young coach, I've been leaning on my own understanding from playing 17 years in the WNBA and being an Olympian. I've gained a lot of knowledge. But sometimes you don't know what you don't know. And you need to put yourself out there and learn other perspectives, and learn from those who have been there and done that. I think I'm heading to a position that will afford me the luxury of being able to position myself to learn more, be more, experience more and become more of a complete coach."
 
Milton-Jones had a two-year record of 32-32 with Pepperdine, but helped engineer one of the nation's biggest turnarounds in 2018-19 as the Waves went from 10-20 to 22-12. The Waves were one of just nine Division I teams to improve by as many as 12 wins. Pepperdine posted its first winning season since 2012 and had its best West Coast Conference finish (tied for third) since 2011. The Waves reached the round of 16 in the WNIT, picking up the program's first two postseason victories in the modern era.
 
"While I am excited for Delisha and this opportunity at Syracuse, I am disappointed that she will no longer be leading our women's basketball program," Pepperdine Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Potts said. "Delisha has done a remarkable job in rebuilding our program, as evidenced by our most recent 22-win season. She is on her way to becoming one of the top women's basketball coaches in the country and the opportunity to coach at one of the top programs will bring invaluable experience for her. We all offer our thanks to Delisha for her commitment and dedication to Pepperdine women's basketball and wish great success for her at Syracuse."
 
Following an incredible amateur and professional career, Milton-Jones joined Pepperdine's staff as an assistant coach for the 2016-17 season, and was then promoted to head coach one year later.
 
The all-time great won two Olympic gold medals (2000 and 2008) and ended her WNBA career with the record for most games played (499) while ranking fifth in steals (619), sixth in rebounds (2,574) and ninth in points (5,571). She was a three-time WNBA All-Star and helped the Los Angeles Sparks win back-to-back titles in 2001 and 2002.
 
A search will begin immediately for a new head coach.