Northern Arizona hires former player Laura Dinkins as women’s basketball coach

By Canadian Press on April 1, 2025.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (AP) — Northern Arizona hired former player Laura Dinkins as its next women’s basketball coach on Tuesday.

Dinkins replaces Loree Payne, who was hired as Santa Clara’s coach last week after seven seasons at NAU.

Dinkins spent the past two years as Grand Canyon’s associate head coach and recruiting coordinator under Molly Miller, now Arizona State’s coach. Dinkins previously served as an assistant at Long Beach State, Fresno State and started her coaching career at Northern Arizona from 2010-12.

Dinkins played at Northern Arizona from 2003-08 and was part of the Lumberjacks’ lone NCAA Tournament team in 2006.

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The Associated Press

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