SEATTLE (May 7) -- Lynne DeYoung, assistant coach for women's basketball at Seattle Pacific University the past five seasons, has resigned to become the new head coach at California State Chico.

DeYoung, 26, becomes only the third head coach for Chico State since the program began in 1969. She succeeds Mary Ann Lazzarini, who died of cancer during the past season after coaching the Wildcats for 13 years.

DeYoung is a graduate of Enterprise High School in Redding, located about 70 miles north of Chico. She is married to Blake DeYoung.

After concluding her playing career Seattle Pacific, DeYoung joined the staff of Gordy Presnell and served as his top aide for the last four years.

During her tenure on the staff, the Falcons won two conference championships and qualified for the NCAA Division II tournament each of the five years, advancing to the Elite Eight in 1998. She coordinated recruiting, scouting and defensive play in addition to supervising weight training and the annual Falcon Girls Basketball Camps.

DeYoung remains the SPU record-holder for six three-point shooting categories, including most treys made in a season (82) and career (196). She graduated in 1997 with a degree in history and added a master's in athletic administration in 2000.