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Former Jazz great and NBA Hall of Famer John Stockton has dabbled in the coaching business since retiring as a player, mostly assisting the Gonzaga Prep girls' basketball team and running an AAU team.

On Tuesday, Stockton dipped his toe in a little deeper.

The Montana State women's basketball team announced Tuesday morning that Stockton will join the Bobcat program as an assistant under head coach Tricia Binford.

Stockton is replacing Kellee Barney, who is leaving the team to enter private business in the Seattle area.

"With the timing right before the start of the season, we were looking for someone that would offer us the smoothest transition, and John is someone who has been consistently around our program that we respect and trust," Binford said in a statement. "He's coached four of our current players; he's always working in a gym; and given his commitment to family and business, we're very appreciative that he's agreed to become a part of our program."

Stockton coached his daughter Lindsay, along with Hannah Caudill, at Gonzaga Prep, and they now play for Montana State. In addition, he coached with the Sandpipers AAU team out of Spokane that also included current Bobcats Delany Junkermier and Lexi Dawkins.

"Coach Binford called and took a flier asking if I'd be interested," Stockton said in a statement "I'm excited about the prospect of working with the kids. I've enjoyed watching the team over the past three years. I had a chance to be around them and develop relationships during their trip to the Bahamas this spring. It will be a fun group to work with."

Jazz coach Quin Snyder says he's happy for one of the greatest players in NBA history.

"He can be an assistant coach wherever he wants," Snyder said of Stockton. "He probably could be a head coach wherever he wants. It sounds like this is something he's excited to do get a chance to be close to your family and add value, and I'm excited for him."

Binford said she and Stockton are still working on logistics for on-court practices and game days. The former Jazz star retired to his hometown of Spokane, Wash., and still lives there. Montana State is in Bozeman, about 400 miles away.

The Bobcats will open the season Nov. 4 when they host Montana Tech in exhibition play.