Northern New Mexico College has parted ways with women’s basketball coach J.R. Giddens after two years on March 15.
Giddens led the team to conference tournament qualfication in both seasons as head coach, though the Eagles were eliminated in the first round both years. Northern was down to five available players for much of the 2022-23 season.
The season ended in the Continental Athletics Conference first round, where Northern lost 66-58 to Haskell Indian Nations after they led at halftime. Ruth Sodipe led the team with 15 points and 15 rebounds.
Northern Athletic Director Jesus Aragon referred comment to college administration, who confirmed that Giddens’ last day of employment was March 15, but declined to comment further due to a “confidential personnel matter.”
Giddens was originally hired by Northern in Summer 2020, but the 2020-21 season was canceled due to COVID-19 and state and college restrictions.
Giddens was a McDonald’s All-American in high school and a star at the University of New Mexico, and was in 2008 the Mountain West Conference co-player of the year. He was a first-round NBA draft pick, and had a long international professional basketball career.