Tara Sanchez enters her second season as an assistant coach for the Washington State women's basketball program.
Sanchez's responsibilities at WSU include recruiting, scout preparation, player individual skill development, monitoring team academic performance, and coordinating Cougar individual summer camps. Sanchez also serves as a member if the YWCA Advisory Board.
Sanchez (formerly Jones) was a four-year letterwinner as a guard at Indiana University from 1998-2002. During the 2001-02 season, she was the senior captain and a starter for a Hoosier team that captured their first Big Ten Championship in school history and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.
Sanchez's success as a player led her into coaching. After graduating from Indiana and prior to arriving at WSU, Sanchez served as an assistant coach at the University of South Florida where she worked with head coach Jose Fernandez for two years in the Conference USA Conference. During her second season at USF, the Bulls earned their first WNIT appearance since 1984.
Sanchez is currently nearing the completion of a master's degree in criminal justice at WSU. She also serves as an active member of the Graduate and Professional Student Association and the Athletic Mentoring Program.
Sanchez and husband, Ron, an assistant coach with the WSU men's basketball program, were wed in May 2006 in Oahu, Hawaii, and currently reside in Pullman.
The Sanchez File
BORN: Aug.4, 1979
HOMETOWN: Memphis, Tenn.
HIGH SCHOOL: Kirby High School
COLLEGE: Indiana University (1998-2002) - Earned bachelor's degree in criminal justice, minored in African-American studies. Four-year letterwinner on women's basketball team. Member of 2002 squad that captured its first women's basketball Big Ten Championship in school history.
COACHING EXPERIENCE:
Washington State University, 2005-Present
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach. Responsibilities include recruiting, scout preparation, player individual skill development, and coordinating Cougar individual summer camps.
University of South Florida, 2002-04
Assistant Women's Basketball Coach. Responsibilities included recruiting, scout preparation, and the development of marketing and promotion plans for the program.
Mike Davis Hoosier Basketball Camp Counselor, 2001
Worked with individual campers to enhance skills; instructed skill development stations; worked individually with one team, teaching team offense and defense.
Michael Jordan Basketball Camp Instructor; 2001
Worked with individual players to develop specific skills; supervised defensive drills and station work.
Indiana Women's Basketball Camp Counselor; 1998-2002
Instructed guard play; demonstrated individual skills, provided instruction during specific individual drill stations; evaluated individual performance.
