University of Houston Athletics
Tari Cummings Joins Arkansas Women's Basketball Staff
5/11/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
May 11, 2011
HOUSTON - University of Houston women's basketball assistant coach Tari Cummings has accepted an assistant coaching position at the University of Arkansas, as announced Wednesday by Razorback head coach Tom Collen.
"Tari is an extension of my family and that's the camaraderie we've had as a staff, which I think is a priceless intangible to have when you're in this profession," said Houston head women's basketball coach Todd Buchanan. "My three biggest things are family, trust and loyalty, and Tari is the epitome of those. She's done a phenomenal job as recruiting coordinator and knocking down barriers in this area so we can be an option to the Texas kids. I'm very sad that she's leaving, but incredibly happy for her to be within 45 minutes of her daughter and family and I wish her nothing but the best."
Cummings spent two seasons as assistant coach at Houston, as well as serving as the recruiting coordinator over the past year. During her time with the Scarlet and White, the Cougars posted a 43-21 overall record and made two postseason appearances.
Houston put together one of the most memorable runs in school history this past season, posting the second-most wins in program history with a 26-6 overall record and becoming only the second team in league history to go a perfect 16-0 in Conference USA play. The Cougars also earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and returned to the national rankings, both coming for the first time since the 2004-05 season.
"I'm very appreciative of the opportunity I was given here at Houston," said Cummings. "This was one of the toughest decisions I've ever had to make because what we have here is truly a family. This is an up and coming University, both athletically and academically, and I was happy to be a part of it."
Cummings came to Houston after spending two seasons at the University of Cincinnati where she also served as an assistant coach and the program's recruiting coordinator.
Prior to her time at UC, Cummings spent four seasons at Arkansas-Fort Smith under long-time head coach Louis Whorton, where she helped the Lions to three NJCAA National Tournament appearances, including a pair of final fours and a consolation championship. She mentored three NJCAA All-Americans during her tenure at UA-Fort Smith.
Cummings played collegially at UA-Fort Smith, where she earned All-America honors in 1999 and helped the Lions place seventh in the NJCAA National Tournament in 1997-98. She finished with 1,262 career points, ranking third in the program's history. She went on to play two seasons at Oklahoma State University, where she was an All-Big 12 performer in 2001-02, averaging 13.1 points per contest and leading the Cowgirls with 6.9 rebounds per game.
Buchanan will immediately begin the search to replace Cummings.
