Whitaker returns to take reins at Texas Tech

May 20, 2013 - 6:09 PM Lubbock, TX (Sports Network) - Texas Tech has named Candace Whitaker its new women's basketball coach.

Whitaker was the head coach at the University of Missouri-Kansas City for six years before spending last season as the associate head coach at Oklahoma State. She played for the Lady Raiders for two seasons and helped the team to a pair of Sweet 16 appearances in the NCAA Tournament.

"I am excited to welcome Candi back to Texas Tech," said Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt in a statement Monday. "It is indeed special to have a former student-athlete return to lead a program that they were a significant part of. Her leadership characteristics as a starting point guard and coach, her ties to West Texas, her experience as a Division I head coach, as well as the fact that she is a Red Raider makes her the perfect fit to lead Lady Raider Basketball into the future."

Whitaker posted a record of 77-93 at UMKC. She was also an assistant at Valparaiso for two seasons before joining the UMKC staff as an assistant in 2004.