Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke was killed in a small plane crash Thursday, the Tulsa World reports.

The newspaper reports that Oklahoma State university spokesman Gary Shutt confirmed that Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna were killed, along with two others, when their plane went down in central Arkansas.

Budke, 50, had been the team's coach since 2005.

This isn't the first time that Oklahoma State's athletics department has been hit with such a tragedy. In 2001, a plane carrying staff and players from the school's men's basketball team crashed in a snow storm in Colorado, killing all 10 people aboard the plane.

Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke was killed, along with three others, when the small plane he was traveling in on a recruiting trip crashed Thursday in central Arkansas.

Assistant coach Miranda Serna was also killed in the crash.

Budke, 50, had been Cowgirls coach since 2005. Serna had served as an assistant under Budke for seven seasons, including a stint at Louisiana Tech.

The pair was on a recruiting trip before the Cowgirls were scheduled to face Grambling State in a game Saturday.

The school announced the team's next two games, including a matchup Sunday with Texas-Arlington, have been canceled.

Budke is survived by his wife, Shelly, and three children, Sara, Alex and Brett. Sara Budke is a student at Oklahoma State.

School President Burns Hargis said in a statement:

"The Oklahoma State family is devastated by this tragedy. Our hearts and prayers go out to the families of Kurt Budke, Miranda Serna and the other victims. "Kurt was an exemplary leader and a man of character who had a profound impact on his student-athletes. He was an outstanding coach and a wonderful person. We send our deepest sympathies to his wife, Shelley, and their children, Sara, Alex and Brett."

Budke had led his team to a season-opening victory Sunday against Rice. Associate head coach Jim Littell has been appointed as interim coach.

This isn't the first time Oklahoma State's athletics department has been hit with such a tragedy.

In January 2001, a plane carrying staff and players from the school's men's basketball team crashed in a snow storm in Colorado, killing all 10 aboard the plane.

Included were two players, Nate Fleming and Daniel Lawson, along with announcer Bill Teggins and other members of the staff.