In a move that highlights the power of basketball connections, new Arizona head coach Becky Burke has tapped into her Louisville roots to bring Devan Newman on board as an assistant coach. The hire reunites two figures whose paths first crossed over a decade ago, when Newman began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Louisville and Burke was a standout player for the Cardinals.

"I am thrilled to welcome Devan to our staff," Burke said in the program's announcement. "She has a wealth of knowledge and experience at every level of college basketball... Arizona women’s basketball just got better!"

Newman brings a proven track record of building winning programs. After her initial stint at Louisville, where she contributed to a staff that reached a national title game and a Sweet 16, she followed former Louisville assistant Bethann Shapiro Ord to Weber State. There, she was instrumental in a dramatic rebuild, helping transform a struggling team into one that set a program record with 23 wins in 2015-16.

The successful partnership continued at Binghamton, where Newman rose to associate head coach and helped lead the Bearcats to a program-record 22 wins in 2019-20. Her journey demonstrates a keen eye for player development and program culture—key assets for Burke as she establishes her own legacy in Tucson.

For Newman, the opportunity to join Burke's staff is a full-circle moment. "I have known Becky from her playing days at Louisville and her passion for the game, fierce competitiveness, and relentless work ethic is infectious," Newman stated. "She is a winner and I can’t wait to get in the trenches with her."

This strategic hire signals Burke's intent to build a staff with deep, trusted relationships and a shared history of success. As the Wildcats look to make their mark in a competitive conference, adding a coach with Newman's experience in cultivating winning cultures is a significant first step.