MATT DANIEL NAMED ASSISTANT COACH

BOULDER, Colo. - Matt Daniel has been hired as an assistant women's basketball coach at the University of Colorado, head coach Ceal Barry announced Thursday. Daniel succeeds former assistant Ron Burgin, who resigned to pursue head coaching opportunities earlier this month.

Daniel comes to CU from Pulaski Academy in Little Rock, Ark., where he was the head coach of the state semifinalist team which he led to a record of 34-1 on the season. The Pulaski team was ranked No. 14 in the nation by hoopsusa.com and No. 22 in the USA Today prep polls. He was named the 6-AAA Coach of the Year.

"We are thrilled to have Matt return to the Buffalo family," said Barry. "He understands how important recruiting is to the success of a Division I basketball program. His enthusiasm will be contagious and we're excited to move forward with him as part of the team."

Prior to his stint at Pulaski, he was an assistant coach at the University of Texas-Arlington from 1999-2003, and a graduate assistant at Arizona State during the 1998-99 season.

Daniel, 28, is a 1998 graduate of Harding University where he received a degree in general studies. It is also where he wrapped up his collegiate basketball playing career. He began his collegiate career at the University of Colorado. His sophomore year Daniel appeared in 23 games, averaging 13.4 mpg and 3.4 ppg. As a freshman, he appeared in 27 games, starting three. He averaged 2.0 ppg, 1.3 rpg and 1.7 apg in helping the Buffs to a 15-13 record and an NIT bid. He became the first freshman to start in the postseason in CU school history during the Buffs trip to the NIT in 1995. He was also an Academic All-Big 8 choice in 1995.

He had an impressive prep career at Jonesboro High School in Jonesboro, Ark., where he was named the 1994 Mr. Basketball, Arkansas Player of the Year, the MVP of the AAAA State Tournament, and led his team to the state title that same year.

Daniel was born Feb. 9, 1976 in Jonesboro. His younger brother Josh was a player under Matt at UT-Arlington. Daniel's hiring is subject to the approval of University of Colorado Chancellor Dr. Richard Byyny.