Montana State University Women's Basketball

When Tricia Binford took over the Montana State women’s basketball program in the spring of 2005, she inherited a program in search of stability and someone to guide the Bobcats back to the upper echelons of the Big Sky Conference. Now, 21 years later, the former Boise State and WNBA standout is MSU’s longest tenured coach as well as its winningest in history with an unprecedented level of excellence on the court, in the classroom and within the community. Those three hallmarks make Bobcat basketball one of the most respected programs in the country. For the past 18 years, Binford has not had a losing season, a stretch that ranks No. 1 in the annals of Bobcat women’s basketball. Her most successful seasons to date have come in the last two years, with a combined 57 victories between 2024-25 and 2025-26. In the most recent MSU campaign, Binford led the Bobcats to the Big Sky Conference championship game and the third round of the WNIT in their longest season in program history. Binford's 2025-26 roster was nothing short of stellar with five phenomenal starters and an array of talent coming off the bench. The lineup was led by sophomore standout Taylee Chirrick, who became the first Bobcat in program history to be named both the Big Sky Conference Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Chirrick set a new school and conference record with 149 steals in a single season, en route to becoming a first team All-Big Sky selection alongside teammate Addison Harris. No B

Buchholz joined the Montana State Athletics department in July of 2021 as the Bobcats' Athletic Academic Coordinator/Learning Specialist. Buchholz came to Bozeman from the University of Maryland, where she worked as Assistant Learning Specialist Intern throughout 2021. She has also served internships at Hilliard Solutions of Houston, Texas (August 2020 to January 2021) and University of Washington Athletics Learning Resources (August 2019 to June 2020). Previously she worked as a client intake specialist for a Seattle-area law firm (February 2018 to May 2019), and as Gym Coordinator for the Seattle Gymnastics Academy (May 2017 to February 2018). A University of Washington graduate with a BA in Sociology and Communications (2017), Buchholz also earned a Masters in Sports Industry Management from Georgetown (2020). In her role as Learning Specialist she provides individualized academic support while serving as academic coordinator for selected Bobcat teams.

Daniel Salle enters his third season as director of basketball operations and radio play-by-play announcer for MSU women's basketball after joing the program...

Derek Jones (CSCS, MFT) is in his first season as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Montana State after serving two seasons as a graduate assistant with the Bobcats. Jones serves as head strength coach for MSU women's basketball and assists with Bobcat football. As a GA, Jones worked with the women's basketball, women's tennis, Nordic skiing, and football programs. The Helena High product began his stint in Bozeman as an intern during the 2020-21 season. Prior to MSU, Jones served an internship at the University of Montana where he assisted with men's basketball, track and field, volleyball, softball, and soccer. Jones earned his Bachelor of Science degree in exercise science from Montana State in 2012, and recently received a Master of Science degree in sport coaching and sciences from MSU, as well. Following graduation in 2012, Jones served in the United States Army. From 2017-19, he served as a squad leader/master fitness trainer with the US Army at Camp Roberts, Calif.

Devin Perez enters his fourth season with the Montana State women's basketball program. He named to the MSU women's basketball staff on April 26, 2023. In hi...

Hannah Blair, an assistant athletic trainer with the Bobcat football program, came to Montana State in January, 2023, with her husband Luken and dog Trout. Originally from Grand Junction, Colorado, she earned her Bachelor's in Exercise Science (2020) and Master's in Athletic Training (2022) from Colorado Mesa. Blair served as an intern at Idaho prior to joining the Bobcats.

Former Carroll College women’s basketball standout Maddie Geritz has joined the Montana State women’s program as a graduate assistant for the 2025-26 season. In her first season with the Bobcats, Geritz helped the MSU squad achieve a school and program record with 57 wins in consecutive seasons, one of just nine times a Big Sky program has reached 50+ wins in back-to-back years. With Geritz's guidence, the Bobcats finished a perfect 15-0 at home on the season and made an appearance in the Big Sky Championship final and the third round of the WNIT. Geritz, who completed her career with the Saints last winter, spent five seasons in Helena, playing in 122 games. The 6-2 forward from Boise, Idaho recorded 946 points and pulled down 476 rebounds as Carroll College won three regular-season Frontier Conference titles. Geritz’ tenure with the Saints concluded with a final four appearance at the 2023 NAIA Tournament. Off the court, Geritz was heavily involved in student-athlete life serving as vice chair of the NAIA Association of Student-Athletes. She was also president of the Carroll College Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Geritz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary and special education last spring. She was a four-time All-Frontier Conference Academic selection.

Shiann Kramer joined Montana State Athletics Staff in July 2022 as Sports Nutrition Graduate Assistant while pursuing her master's degree in Exercise Physiol...

Sunny Smallwood was named Montana State Associate Head Coach on June 29, 2018. In her tenure with the Blue and Gold, Smallwood had helped the Bobcats to a 174-80 overall mark and a 113-35 Big Sky Conference ledger. In addition, MSU has posted five 20-win campaigns, including a school record 30 victories in 2024-25. During the 2024-25 season, Montana State also established a Big Sky record with 30 overall. In seven seasons, she has been instrumental in leading the Bobcats to three Big Sky regular-season titles, two NCAA Tournament appearance and five top 3 showings. Smallwood coached the Bobcats to an undefeated home campaign in 2025-26, leading the team to 57 wins in consecutive seasons. The 50-plus mark was one of nine achieved by a Big Sky program, and marks the most wins in back-to-back seasons in school and conference history. Smallwood assisted in the development of sophomore sensation Taylee Chirrick, who set a new single-season conference record with 149 steals on her way to becoming the Big Sky Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year. Chirrick was named to the All-Big Sky First Team alongside Addison Harris. Considered one of the best assistants in NCAA Division I basketball, Smallwood served as associate head coach at the University of Arizona before making the move to Bozeman. In addition, the 37-year veteran has also served as an associate head coach at Nebraska, California and Boise State. Smallwood also worked as an assistant at Washington and Washi