Coquese Washington

Coquese Washington
Sport(s)	Basketball
Current position
Title	Head coach
Team	Penn State
Record	66–60
Biographical details
Born	January 17, 1971 (1971-01-17)
Place of birth	Flint, Michigan, United States
Playing career
1989–1993	Notre Dame
Coaching career (HC unless noted)
1999–2007 2007–present	Notre Dame (asst.) Penn State

Coquese Makebra Washington (born January 17, 1971) is a former collegiate and professional basketball player who currently serves as the head coach of Penn State's women's basketball team. Washington holds a law degree, and was also the first president of the WNBA Players Association, holding that position from 1999 to 2001. She played her high school basketball at Flint Central High School.

University of Notre Dame

Washington played for Notre Dame's Fighting Irish women's basketball team from 1989 to 1993. Afterwards, she attended Notre Dame Law School from 1994 to 1997, earning her J.D.

Professional playing career

After completing her athletic eligibility with the Irish in 1993, she began a professional career by joining the American Basketball League 1996-98 (ABL). She began her pro career in 1997–98 as the starting point guard with the ABL's Portland Power.

Women's National Basketball Association Career

• 1999 – New York Liberty – Washington averaged 4.1 minutes, 0.6 points, and 0.8 rebounds per game.
• 2000 – Houston Comets: Washington received playing time in 25 games, and throughout the season, she averaged 1.7 points and an assist per game.
• 2001 – Houston Comets: Washington started all 32 games, as a point guard. Throughout the season, she averaged 5.3 points, 3.8 assists, 3.7 rebounds, and 2.16 steals per game. On August 3, 2001, playing against Orlando and in her best game of the season, she posted ten points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Coaching career

Washington began her coaching career in 1999, when she returned to her alma mater, University of Notre Dame, and worked as an assistant coach under Head Coach Muffet McGraw. She was part of the coaching staff for the team that won the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship in 2001, by defeating Purdue.

In August 2005, Washington was promoted to an Associate Head Coach, which includes the responsibility of coordinating Notre Dame's recruiting efforts on promising young players.

On April 23, 2007, she was named the fifth coach in Penn State women's basketball history, following Rene Portland's resignation. Washington has led the Lady Lions to an appearance in the 2010 WNIT and an appearance in the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

Personal life

Washington lives in Port Matilda, Pa with her husband, Raynell Brown, and their son, Quenton Brown, who was born in 2005. She gave birth to a daughter, Rhaiyan Kamille Brown, on July 23, 2009.

Head coaching record

Season	Team	Overall	Conference	Standing	Postseason
Penn State (Big Ten Conference) (2007–present)
2007–2008	Penn State	13–18	4–14	10th
2008–2009	Penn State	11–18	6–12	T–7th
2009–2010	Penn State	17–14	8–10	T–6th	WNIT 1st Round
2010–2011	Penn State	25–10	11–5	2nd	NCAA 2nd Round
2011–2012	Penn State	1–0	0–0
Penn State:		67–60	29–41
Total:		67–60
National champion         Conference regular season champion         Conference tournament champion       Conference regular season & conference tournament champion       Conference division champion

External links

• Notre Dame coaching profile
• WNBA Player Profile