RUSTON -- When an assistant coaching position came open in early June with the departure of Christie Sides, Louisiana Tech head coach Kurt Budke knew he wanted to fill it with someone whom he felt comfortable with and confident in.

On Thursday Budke did exactly that as he hired Miranda Serna, who played and coached under the Salina, Kansas, native during his national championship days at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas.

?I?m extremely excited about Miranda Serna joining this staff,? Budke said. ?She is someone I?ve known for a long time. She was a player for me at Trinity Valley on the 1996 national championship team and was one of my assistant coaches on the 1999 national championship team.?

Serna comes to Louisiana Tech after serving the past two years as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Stacy Johnson-Klein at Fresno State. In adidition to her coaching duties with the Bulldogs, Serna also handled the business responsibilities for the office including budgeting, scheduling and travel arrangements.

?This is a dream come true,? Serna said. ?Not just being a part of the Lady Techster family but also being back with my mentor; the guy who got me started in this business. I think my transition will be easier since I?m already familiar with the Western Athletic Conference.?

During her two years at Fresno State, the Bulldogs produced one of the most successful seasons in the program?s history, recording a 21-13 mark in 2002-03 while earning a spot in the Western Athletic Conference Tournament championship game and then a berth in the 2003 Women?s National Invitation Tournament where the team advanced to the quarterfinals.

Prior to her coaching stint at Fresno State, Serna served as an assistant coach at Chicago State (2001-02), Long Beach State (1999-01) and Trinity Valley (1997-99) under Budke. While at Long Beach State, the Guadalupita, N.M., native helped lead the 49ers to a 39-24 mark and an appearance in the 2000 WNIT.

?The biggest thing I was looking for was someone who could help us expand our recruiting base,? Budke said. ?We feel like we are solid in Louisiana, Mississippi and Arkansas and I want to get even stronger in Texas. Miranda can help us immensely in the Dallas and Houston areas.
She also has strong California ties and with the league we play in we should be able to recruit that area. We?ve had some success already in California with Amisha Carter and Lakiste Barkus and hopefully Miranda will help us continue that success.?

Serna?s recruiting days for the Lady Techsters will start immediately. According to Budke, Serna flew into Atlanta Thursday for an AAU Tournament.

?It?s a tough turnaround but that?s the business,? Serna said. ?I was already prepared for it hoping it would happen.?

The daughter of John Serna and Nettie Herrera, Serna started her collegiate playing career at Central Arizona College in 1993-94 before transferring to Trinity Valley to play for Budke and ultimately winning a junior college national title in 1996. She then lettered for the University of Houston in 1996-97 before earning her bachelor?s degree in mathematics from Texas A&M Commerce in 1998.

?Miranda is a tireless worker; she is one of those that is the first one in the office in the morning and the last one out of the office in the evening. The most important thing to me is that I trust her. She will be loyal to me and to this program.?

Serna?s hiring is pending the approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Directors.