McDole replaces Sheba Harris who stepped down from coaching on January 31st. McDole has served as an assistant under Harris since the 2009 season. Harris leaves the program with an overall coaching record of 124 wins and 108 losses. Harris led CSU to the SIAC West Division title last season while earning SIAC Coach of the Year honors.
"I am excited for this opportunity and looking forward to all the challenges that come along with being the head coach," McDole says. "I appreciate what Coach Harris has done for Lady Marauder basketball. She rebuilt this program into a perennial power in the SIAC. We are going to continue to model everything she has instilled into this program. While I will now be in a new role, nothing changes as far as our overall goals of winning a conference title and having a successful postseason run."
McDole was officially introduced as the interim head coach on Friday in a meeting with players and staff.
"We acknowledge and thank Coach Harris for her dedication to the program and the entire university. Her hard work is evident in the team's overall success over the last few years. We wish Coach Harris the best in her future endeavors," said Jahan Culbreath, Vice President of Athletics and Institutional Advancement. "We are pleased to appoint LaTonya McDole as the interim head coach and new leader of the program. Coach McDole has been associated with the program since 2009 and continues to do a tremendous job of keeping our student-athletes focused on the court and in the classroom."
As an assistant coach, McDole's primary duties included recruiting, quality control, academic support and conditioning.
Coach McDole has an extensive background in collegiate women's basketball. A graduate from Trotwood-Madison High School in Dayton, Ohio, McDole went on to sign with the Wildcats at the University of Kentucky.
In her four-year career at UK, McDole recorded 1180 points (10.1 ppg), 711 rebounds (6.1 rpg), 217 steals (1.9 spg) and 201 assists (1.7 apg). She became the third player in Wildcat history to amass over 1,000 points, 600 rebounds and 200 steals. She graduated in 2002 with her Bachelor's Degree in Family & Consumer Science.
At the conclusion of her collegiate career, McDole was invited to the WNBA Pre-Draft. She went on to play professionally in Coimbra, Portugal for Olivais. She averaged 25 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals highlighted by an MVP Award in the Portuguese All-Star Game and a game in which she scored a career-high 46 points.
"I have experienced playing on some of the biggest stages in our sport and I always try to parlay those experiences to our players to help mentally prepare them to perform to the best of their ability," McDole says. "I have high expectations for our program. This year's group of ladies have been tremendous students of the game. They are willing to learn and are able to adapt to adjustments."
After the conclusion of her international basketball career, she served as a mentor and educator to high school students while preparing them for the expectations of college. She has also been officiating on the AAU level for over 12 years.
"I continue to focus my efforts towards getting our team ready to finish the regular season strong with the hopes of securing the top seed in our conference tournament," McDole says. "We have another big conference game this Saturday and we remain focused on the task at hand."
Coach McDole and the Lady Marauders travel to play rival Kentucky State on Saturday in Frankfort, Kentucky.
CSU is currently 18-5 overall with a 12-3 mark in conference play.
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS MEDIA COMMUNICATIONS
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