Derek Wynn enters his fourth year as an assistant coach with the UC Irvine women’s basketball program in 2025-26.
In his three seasons on staff, the Anteaters have won a Big West tournament and regular season championship, and produced three-straight 20-win campaigns.
Last year, the 'Eaters went 21-10 overall for their fourth-straight 20-win campaign. They finished second in the Big West (15-5) and made an appearance in the semifinals of the Big West Championship. UCI also ranked among the top-10 in the nation in field goal percentage defense and scoring defense.
In 2023-24, the Anteaters won the second Big West Championship in program history. They earned a No. 13 seed in their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 29 years. UC Irvine closed out the campaign with a 23-9 overall record (16-4 Big West) and was ranked 23rd in the final College Insider Women’s Mid-Major Poll. The 'Eaters were also among the nation’s best in scoring defense as they were 14th with 55.7 points allowed per game. UCI claimed three major Big West Awards, taking home Player of the Year (Déja Lee), Newcomer of the Year (Moulayna Johnson Sidi Baba) and Best Defensive Player (Diaba Konate).
Wynn joined the ‘Eaters in 2022-23 and made an immediate impact, helping the squad win the first Big West regular-season title in program history. UC Irvine went on to earn an automatic bid to the WNIT where it advanced to the second round. The historic campaign also saw school records set in overall wins (25), conference wins (16) and scoring defense. Wynn played an integral role on the defensive side where the Anteaters' 53.2 points allowed per game ranked seventh in the nation.
Wynn has over 20 years of collegiate coaching experience and most recently served as associate head coach at the University of Washington for four seasons. Taking over a program that was beginning a rebuilding phase, Wynn helped the Huskies steadily improve, going from seven victories his first year to back-to-back double-digit win campaigns. He was also instrumental in bringing in the highest-ranked recruiting class in program history (No. 16) in 2020.
In 2018-19, Wynn played a key role in UW's impressive run through the Pac-12 Tournament. Entering as the No. 11 seed, Washington knocked off No. 6 Utah in the first round before defeating third-seeded and 11th-ranked Oregon State to reach the semifinals for just the third time in program history. The Huskies also had a couple big victories in 2019-20, taking down Big Ten power Iowa and No. 8 UCLA. In 2017-18, Washington led the Pac-12 in turnovers forced (17.8/gm), while also ranking third in steals (9.3 spg) and second in 3-pointers made (8.5/gm).
Prior to his stint at UW, Wynn spent eight years as an assistant and associate head coach at Big West rival Long Beach State (2009-17). Over his last three seasons, Wynn guided the Beach to a 69-30 record with three-straight 20-win campaigns. That stretch culminated in 2016-17 with LBSU's first Big West tournament title since 1991 and first NCAA berth since 1992. It was Long Beach State's fourth postseason appearance in five seasons as the Beach also earned three WNIT bids.
Wynn previously served as an assistant at USC (2004-09) and Pepperdine (2000-04). He was part of the staff that led the Trojans to the second round of the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Tournaments, and brought in the top-ranked 2006 recruiting class in the nation according to USA Today. During his time in Malibu, the Waves made five postseason appearances and won three West Coast Conference titles.
Before entering the college ranks, Wynn spent six seasons as the assistant boys' basketball coach at Upland High School where he helped the Highlanders earn five consecutive CIF-Southern Section playoff berths. The 1996 and 1997 teams captured the Baseline League championship, while the 1999 squad finished with a school-best 25-4 record.
Wynn has coached numerous student-athletes who have gone on to the professional ranks including three WNBA and two NBA players.
Wynn earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from Cal State Fullerton in 1996 and received his master's and teaching credential from Azusa Pacific in 1999. He is married to Jody Wynn and the couple has two daughters.
