Copyright Salt Lake City Deseret News
KANSAS CITY — Gavin Petersen has been on the job for nearly a year as the head coach for the Utah women’s basketball program, after he took over for Lynne Roberts five games into the Utes’ 2024-25 season. On Tuesday, though, it was Petersen’s first appearance on the podium at Big 12 basketball media days at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, a coaching break-in milestone of its own. It was a perfect time for Petersen to reflect a bit on how the last year has gone, and what a full offseason as head coach meant to him. “I think the biggest difference is the coaching staff. We were able to connect and kind of understand what the journey is going to look like together now that we can start at point A and where we want to take this program. So that was great,” he told Utah reporters during a breakout session. “And then also just getting a summer to work with our newcomers, really laid the foundation for the season. (I’m) just thankful that we’ve been given that opportunity to do, but really looking forward to this year.” Petersen, who was a longtime assistant coach under Roberts at Utah before Roberts left to become head coach of the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, knows the mantle of stewardship over their program is in his hands. He plans to continue with the identity he and Roberts have established over the last decade-plus, having the Utes play unselfish ball, share the basketball and take great shots. There’s also a new challenge for Petersen and his 2025-26 squad. Utah has made the past four NCAA Tournaments — and won 20-plus games each of those seasons. The outside expectations for Utah aren’t as high as they’ve been in the recent past. The Utes were picked to finish eighth in the Big 12 coaches preseason poll in a league where seven teams made the NCAA Tournament last season. It’s an indicator of how the Utes are viewed, one year after finishing in a tie for fourth in the league and earning the No. 6 seed in the Big 12 women’s basketball tournament last season. Making the NCAAs is still the expectation for a more youth-oriented roster that includes four true freshmen, including five-star point guard LA Sneed. “Obviously everyone’s end goal is the (NCAA) Tournament, but the tournament appearance, that’s the standard for us now. So obviously, getting in the tournament and dancing for as long as we can. I mean, that’s obviously the end goal, but we believe in mission first, team always,” said senior guard Lani White. “So regardless of our end goal, we’re trying to be where our feet are and kind of just enjoying the process. I mean, the process is a dream. So working day in, day out, focusing on the little things is our main points this offseason.” Utah will have six newcomers on its 13-player roster this season. That coincides with the departure of a senior group that included Jenna Johnson, Kennady McQueen and Ines Vieira, along with junior Gianna Kneepkens transferring to UCLA. Those four had been a part of each of the Utes’ four NCAA Tournament teams, and their experience will be missed. Senior guard Maty Wilke, who’s spent the past two seasons embracing the Utah culture after transferring from Wisconsin, is also focused on making sure she remembers the joy of the game. “Lani said it perfectly, but I think to add on to that is just finding the joy of basketball again. I think sometimes where everyone’s so focused on the outside things, that the actual game and playing with your best friends kind of gets thrown under the rug,” Wilke said. “I think for me, this year is being able to be a leader is just bringing that joy back, celebrating the little things that might not be seen. But I think that makes playing basketball so much more exciting, and I think you can see that a lot in how we play.”
