"Krys has been a valued member of our athletics department, consistently demonstrating professionalism, dependability, and a genuine care for those around her. She brought energy and creativity to everything she did, and her impact on our program and department was felt by everyone."
Coach Krys responds:
"Jon's professionalism and support stood out to me during my time at Washington State. He leads with integrity and takes the time to know the people in his department, which is rare at any level. The connection we had through church was something I genuinely valued. Being around him reminded me of what it looks like when someone in a position of power still carries themselves with humility and purpose. Grateful to have worked under his leadership and grateful that he would speak on my behalf."
"Krys Burnett is a talented, engaging and enthusiastic professional! Her never-ending commitment to growth in her field, continuing to develop her knowledge and skills to be the best in every way possible, is truly remarkable. Furthermore, she is so caring and committed to the success and well-being of those around her — coaches, student-athletes, colleagues, everyone. She is a bright light that shines near and far!"
Coach Krys responds:
"If athletic directing is ever in the cards, AD McCoy is the first call. The people's champ. Had the pleasure of working under her for most of my time at Washington State, and she was always personable, professional, and genuinely likable. She truly cared about getting to know her staff members, and that stood out. Grateful for the time spent in her office picking her brain about life, athletics, and what it's like to sit in the AD chair. A lot of my approach to the business of athletics has been shaped by observing and learning from her, and I'm grateful our paths crossed on this journey."
"Krys brings a collaborative approach to the athletic department and cares about the people around her. She is someone who shows up with great energy, does the work without being asked, and makes the environment better just by being in it. Any program would be lucky to have her on staff."
Coach Krys responds:
"Kelli is such a welcoming presence at WSU, and it is always a joy to be around her at work. From day one, she made me feel seen and included in a department that can feel big and hard to navigate. The way she carries herself, communicates with people, and leads with empathy and strength is something I have genuinely learned from. She has a quiet confidence that commands respect without demanding it. I watched and took notes every interaction, because she represents the kind of professional I want to be."
"What I remember most from my three years with Coach Krys is the first day of practice and especially my first year. As an international player struggling with the language, Krys helped me a lot off the court by explaining things so I could translate them during practice, and she was always a strong, positive voice. She also guided me through decision-making in video sessions, which really helped my understanding of the game. She's always smiling, with the best energy and approach, and that made a huge difference in my experience."
Coach Krys responds:
"Coach Ethridge really knows how to recruit kind, caring, and hardworking young women! Ele's presence brings instant joy, and she's truly a joy to be around. As a freshman in her first year, stepping into the big world of the U.S. and college basketball, I just wanted to make sure she was good. It was special to watch how quickly she learned, and now here she is, a U.S. pro. Lol. So happy to have been a part of Ele's journey, and for her to have been a part of mine. She's a beast on the court and one of the sweetest, kindest people off it. Just a great young woman all around."
"Having Coach Krys on the team means having good energy around, always. She is friendly and easy to talk to, and she has a way of making every practice feel better just by being there. No matter what kind of day you are having, she brings a good mood and lifts people up without even trying. That kind of presence is rare and it means more than she knows."
Coach Krys responds:
"Made it a point to be someone who brings good energy and makes the people around me feel seen, supported, and better. But can't take all the credit. The players who come to Washington State, especially Marta, make it easy to walk into practice, feel good, and be that way. Marta is respectful, kind, and a great player. She was always smiling, always willing to have a conversation, and always a great teammate. Truly enjoyed being part of her journey, and will always be rooting for her in whatever she does."
"Coach Krys is one of the most high energy, giving, and selfless coaches I have gotten the privilege to learn from. I don't know how she did it but without fail every day she came in with a smile on her face and an attitude that made me want to be a better teammate and person for others. I will always remember how kind and supportive she was when I went through my injury. Going out of her way to make a booklet for me that really helped me mentally get through that rehab process. She is an amazing coach, and any player that has the honor to have her as a leader is lucky."
Former Washington State University Women's Basketball Player
Coach Krys responds:
"Juice is just a different breed. I remember my first visit to Washington State so clearly. CLW, who I call Juice, was the first player to welcome me on my visit, and then again on my first official day, welcoming me to the family with a hug. That always stuck with me because she was a phenomenal player, the best on the team and one of the best I had ever seen, yet she still made people feel seen. In my years of coaching, that is rare. From then on, every time I saw her, she spoke to me and everyone around her. That's just who she is. She carries herself with grace on and off the court, and she has a presence that naturally makes people admire and respect her. When she got hurt, I just felt led to remind her that she was going to be A-OK and that the comeback is always stronger than the setback. I always loved being around Juice and being in her presence, and it's been beautiful to watch her continue to shine at UCLA."
"One of my favorite things about working for / with Krys is that she was so willing to teach me and help me improve while also being so willing to learn from me. She works so hard at improving herself that it's infectious and made me want to learn more and work even harder. She has the rare ability to both drive people to work really hard while making the hard long nights on the road be something I looked forward to."
Coach Krys responds:
"To have been blessed with a lot of people who poured into my journey to Division 1 coaching genuinely surprises me. Nothing but favor. I told myself if I made it to my dream, I would pour into others around me the same. Those late nights on the road drawing plays, scouting, and washing clothes when everyone was sleep, I never minded. I leave no staff behind. I am my brothers and sisters keeper. If you need analytics for your program, Robin would be a valuable addition to any program."
"I've had the opportunity to work alongside Krys in the office as a standout creative talent. What sets her apart isn't just the quality of her work, it's the commitment and consistency she brings to everything she does. She is always growing, always learning, and always showing up for the people around her. She is a strong asset to any athletics department and I'm proud to have worked alongside her."
Former NBA · Seattle SuperSonics | Former WNBA · Seattle Storm
Coach Krys responds:
"Ms. Lisa has been such a blessing to me. From the moment she took me under her wing in the design space, she made time for me even when her schedule did not require it. She did not have to pour into me the way she did, and the fact that she chose to says everything about her character. She mentored me in graphic design, pushed me to take my creative work to the next level, and showed me what it looks like to carry yourself with excellence in every interaction, because that is just who she is. Working alongside someone with her professional background, her accomplishments, and her knowledge was something I will never take for granted. Grateful does not even begin to cover it."
"Krys and I worked together in the Washington State University Athletics department from February 2024 - February 2026. Right away, I could see her care and concern for others was unmatched. While executing her role with women's basketball at the highest level, Krys also made time to check in on coworkers around the department! My experience at WSU was made better each and every time I would interact with Krys. She is a true team player that strives to be successful herself, but also wants others to achieve their goals! I highly recommend Coach Burnett for any organization wanting the above mentioned qualities and employees with incredible character."
Coach Krys responds:
"Basketball is my job, but genuinely caring about the people around me is not part of a job description. That's just who I am, and Jason saw that. That means more than he probably knows. Checking in with him and interacting with him made my days at WSU better. His presence and the way he carried himself gave me a great example of how to move, both professionally and personally. He was a great colleague, an even better friend, and someone I truly needed during my time at WSU, especially while adjusting to being across the country with hometown ties."
