DENVER – The University of Denver women's basketball program has hired former Penn State Director of Recruiting and Basketball Operations Amari Boyd as an assistant coach, DU head coach Erik Johnson announced on Tuesday.
 
"Amari brings such a wide variety of talents to our staff that will impact everyone around DU," Johnson said. "Her ability to showcase all the amazing things DU has to offer will be seen far and wide. Amari has excelled in multiple roles in all her years at Penn State and continues to innovate and find new ways to make the people around her better. Her personality and positive energy will help our players keep the joy in the work they put in every day, and her drive and work ethic will allow Amari to make a huge impact on the court and in all facets of our program."
 
Boyd, who completed both her bachelor's degree and master's degrees at Penn State, has been on the Nittany Lions' staff since 2019, serving most recently as Penn State's Director of Recruiting, Creative Content and Operations the last three seasons. In her role, she was responsible for leading recruiting efforts, while also creating engaging content for recruits, the current student-athletes and the program.
 
"I am honored and excited to join the Denver women's basketball family," Boyd said. "Coach Erik Johnson has a clear vision for where this program is headed, and what stood out to me most is his commitment to building a culture that develops great players, great teammates and great people. The opportunity to be a part of that vision and help elevate Denver women's basketball is one I am incredibly grateful for.

"Denver is a special place, and I can't wait to get to work. I'm excited to build relationships with our student-athletes, contribute to the culture Coach Johnson is creating, and help move this program forward."
 
Boyd also was responsible for analyzing and evaluating potential recruits and putting together scouting reports for the Nittany Lions'. The PSU alum created skill development plans and individual workouts for student-athletes. Prior to her first full time role with the program, Boyd was a graduate assistant from 2021-23, an assistant of basketball operations from 2019-21 and a student manager for the program from 2017-19.
 
Johnson was hired on Monday, April 20, to begin his second stint as the head coach at the University of Denver. In his first go around, the Pioneers went 72-52 in four seasons, including 44-24 in Sun Belt Conference play and a 44-13 mark at home. Johnson and the Pioneers finished above .500 in all four seasons, the longest streak for the program in the Division I era. In his last job at Fairfield, Johnson was an assistant coach for a Fairfield team that went 102-27 in the last four seasons, won three MAAC Championships and made three NCAA Tournament appearances.
 
Earlier this offseason, Johnson hired Abi Olajuwon (READ FULL RELEASE) as his associate head coach and Jasmine Gill (READ FULL RELEASE) and Des Abeyta (READ FULL RELEASE) as an assistant coaches.
 
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