Former WNBA player Tamara Moore becomes only female head coach in men's college basketball
Named coach of men's team at Mesabi Range College, a junior college in Minnesota
Former WNBA player Tamara Moore is the recipient of a rare opportunity after being named coach of the men's basketball team at Mesabi Range College, a junior college in Virginia, Minn.
Moore, who turned 40 on Saturday, will become one of the few women to coach a men's college team.
"I'm honored to coach on any level," Moore told ESPN in a story posted Sunday. "The ultimate goal for me is to be a Division I coach. I've never been doubted about my coaching ability. I just think it's all about opportunity. The message, with my hiring, is that the ceiling is now broken, and let's just take it even further."
According to ESPN, Moore will also be the softball head coach at Mesabi Range.
Moore, who played six WNBA seasons, takes over a team that went 6-19 last season under David Wilson.
'My resume speaks for itself'
Moore said coaching men won't represent a big transition to her. She also feels she won't have trouble getting male players to respond.
"I can use my recruiting calls in this process as an answer to that question: I didn't even get that question once," Moore said. "My resume speaks for itself."'
Moore was a star player at Wisconsin prior to becoming the 15th selection in the 2002 WNBA Draft by Miami. She averaged 4.4 points in 145 appearances (65 starts) during her six seasons before continuing her career overseas.
Women in men's basketball
Moore said women who have made an impact in basketball before her helped present the opportunity. The list includes San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon and two women with the New Orleans Pelicans — executive Swin Cash and assistant coach Teresa Weatherspoon.
In addition, Kerri-Ann McTierman coached the Kingsborough Community College (N.Y.) men's team to a conference title in 2000.
"For me, it's not new, just being someone that's always tried to push the game forward," Moore said. "I think it means a lot looking at Becky Hammon and Teresa Weatherspoon and Swin Cash, all women I played with or against in the WNBA, who opened the door for this opportunity. The biggest thing for me is those doors led to this door. "
