Former WNBA head coach and Penn State legend Tanisha Wright has been named the seventh head coach of the Lady Lion basketball program. Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Patrick Kraft announced the appointment on March 19, 2026. Wright, a four-year letterwinner for the Lady Lions from 2001-2005, returns to University Park after a five-year coaching career in the WNBA. She will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, March 23.
Key Takeaways:
- WNBA Experience: Wright brings five years of WNBA coaching experience, including three seasons as a head coach with the Atlanta Dream where she was named AP Coach of the Year in 2022.
- Program Legend: As a player, Wright led Penn State to four NCAA Tournament appearances, two Sweet 16s, an Elite Eight, and back-to-back Big Ten regular season titles.
- Immediate Introduction: A press conference to introduce Coach Wright is scheduled for noon on Monday, March 23, at Penn State.
A Homecoming for a Program Icon
Tanisha Wright is one of the most decorated players in Lady Lion history. During her collegiate career, she was a three-time Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and a three-time All-American. She led Penn State to a program-high No. 5 national ranking in 2004 and finished her career ranked in the top five in several statistical categories.
Leadership Seeks to Restore Championship Tradition
Athletic Director Patrick Kraft emphasized Wright’s deep connection to the program’s standards. "Tanisha Wright embodies everything this program stands for," Kraft stated. He highlighted her understanding of the winning tradition and her professional experience as key assets to return the Lady Lions to national prominence.
Proven Professional Pedigree Guides Transition
Following a 14-year WNBA playing career that included a 2010 championship, Wright transitioned to coaching. She served as an assistant for the Las Vegas Aces before her successful head coaching tenure in Atlanta, where she guided the Dream to consecutive playoff appearances. Wright also has recent experience with USA Basketball as a court coach and scout.
Sources
https://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/joshua-beeman-named-vp-it-and-university-cio-penn
https://www.thedp.com/article/2026/03/penn-professor-congress-race-primary-alumni-ala-stanford
https://greekreporter.com/2026/03/19/cretan-diet-penn-state-harvard-university/
