SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - Bethany Creed, director of basketball operations for the last three seasons at Missouri State, has been promoted to assistant coach, head coach Nyla Milleson announced Monday. Creed takes the place of Camryn Whitaker, who left the Lady Bear staff for a similar post at Western Kentucky in April.
As director of operations, Creed oversaw Missouri State's film exchange, academic monitoring and equipment operations, while coordinating team travel arrangements and overseeing Lady Bear Basketball Camp operations.
"Beth has all of the intangibles you look for in an assistant coach," Milleson said. "She brings a tremendous amount of loyalty and trust, as well as a strong work ethic, and she's been a valuable member of our staff for the last three years. As a former player, she understands what it takes to be a successful student-athlete. Taking all of those factors into consideration, it was clear that she was the best fit for our program."
Creed originally joined the Lady Bear staff in July 2008, after teaching physical education and coaching volleyball, track and girl's basketball for her alma mater, the Ash Grove (Mo.) R-IV School District.
Creed, who played for Milleson at Drury University from 2002-06, was a key figure in the Springfield school's rise to national prominence, helping the Lady Panthers amass 122 victories against just 12 defeats during her collegiate career. DU captured conference titles and appeared in postseason play in each of her four years, advancing all the way to the Division II national title game in 2004. DU also made Sweet 16 appearances in 2003 and 2006. Creed concluded her career among Drury's all-time leaders in free throw percentage, rebounding, assists and steals.
"This is a wonderful opportunity," Creed stated. "Having been on staff for the last three seasons, I'm excited to get the chance to step up for our program. There's no doubt this is where I want to be."
Creed's promotion was approved by the Missouri State Board of Governors at its June meeting. A search for her replacement as director of basketball operations will begin immediately.
Missouri State will return four starters and 11 letterwinners this fall after posting their best win total in six years last season. The Lady Bears compiled a 24-11 record en route to second-place Missouri Valley Conference regular-season and tournament finishes and a second straight Women's National Invitation Tournament appearance.
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