UMKC women’s basketball head coach Jacie Hoyt is leaving the program for the head coach position at Oklahoma State.

In her farewell announcement, Hoyt thanked the UMKC administration, staff, players and fans for their belief and support.

“Kansas City will always have a special place in my heart,” Hoyt said. “When I got there, I vowed to leave the program better than I found it, and there’s no doubt we were able to accomplish that.” 

Hoyt was first announced as the head coach of the Oklahoma State women’s basketball team on March 20. She was formally introduced just one day later during a press conference at Oklahoma State.

“There are a million of reasons to be excited about Oklahoma State,” Hoyt said. “First and foremost, it’s the people and the leadership there. Everyone I’ve had conversations with at Oklahoma State aligns with the beliefs and characteristics that lead to success. Oklahoma State has a fan base that supports the program, and we are passionate about giving them something to be proud of.”

The former Roos women’s basketball coach is entering a situation similar to the one when she first arrived at Kansas City. This past season, Oklahoma State finished with a 9-20 overall record, going 3-15 in conference play in the Big 12.

Hoyt served as Kansas City’s head coach from 2017-2022. In those seasons, she compiled a 81-65 overall record and a 48-31 conference record. Prior to Hoyt’s arrival, Kansas City’s coaches combined to go 242-437 overall and 144-215 in conference play. 

Hoyt led the Roos to the 2020 Western Atlantic Conference regular season championship — the first in program history —  two 20-win seasons, the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament bid in 2019-2020, and a WNIT bid this season.  

In that 2019-20 season, Hoyt was named the 2020 WAC Coach of the Year, becoming the first Kansas City coach to ever receive such an honor. 

Kansas City moved to the Summit League in the 2020-21 season. Even in a more daunting conference, the Roos outperformed expectations. The team placed two positions higher than predicted in its first season of Summit League play and third place in its second year.

“Coach Hoyt has left an indelible mark on our women’s basketball program, and our university at large,” Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Brandon Martin said. “We will forever be indebted for the impact that she has had on our student-athletes and the Kansas City community. We wish her and Daniel the best in the next chapter of their journey at Oklahoma State.”

Kansas City will begin a search for its next head women’s basketball coach immediately.

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