Women's Basketball

When second-year head coach Chris Denker entered his first season as the leader of the Bronco program last fall, he took over a program he knew very well, as he had served as an assistant coach on Caren Horstmeyer's staff for seven years. With that appointment, he became the sixth head coach in the 37-year history of the women's basketball program.

Under his leadership, the Broncos advanced to the postseason for the fourth straight year, participating in the 2001 Women's National Invitation Tournament. With a 20-8 overall record, the team also posted the program's fourth straight season with at least 20 wins and 11th straight record over the .500 mark. In addition, Denker's squad earned its third West Coast Conference title in the last four years and was ranked top-20 nationally in scoring defense. Four of his starters were named to the league's All-Academic, including standout Annie Garrison, who also garnered WBCA/Kodak All-America District VIII honors while becoming the first player in Santa Clara history to be named a unanimous three-time first team All-WCC member.

Under Horstmeyer, Denker was the top recruiting and offensive coordinator. His teams amassed a 137-64 (.682) overall record, including a 69-29 (.704) mark in West Coast Conference play. The Broncos have also won three WCC Championships under his watch and advanced to the postseason four times.

Prior to his arrival at Santa Clara, Denker served as Ten Anderson's top assistant at Idaho State University from 1991-93. He handled the Bengals' defensive schemes, recruiting, scheduling, scouting, summer camps and academic development.

Denker was also an assistant coach at South Eugene (Ore.) High School from 1987 to `90, helping to lead the squad to three consecutive appearances in the state tournament. In 1987 and 1988 he served as the head coach of the girl's freshman team and led the squad to two league titles, and in 1989 and `90 he repeated the performance for the girl's junior varsity squad. During his time at South Eugene, Denker also served as an assistant football and baseball coach, and as head coach of the football junior varsity team he led the Axemen to a league title in 1989.

As a collegiate player, Denker lettered in basketball as a freshman at Boise State University before transferring to Linn Benton Community College the next year. At Linn Benton, he served as the team captain and earned honorable mention all-league recognition in 1987.

A 1990 graduate of the University of Oregon with a degree in marketing, Denker has been the head coach of several all-star teams, including the Basketball Congress International Oregon girl's team and the "Class of the Field" All-Star Division Oregon girl's team for three years, and the BCI Southern Oregon boy's team for two seasons. He is a 10-year veteran of the camp circuit, having served variously as a commissioner, director, coach and even as an accountant.

Denker and his wife Gisette reside in Santa Clara.