Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Tony Newnan Named WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year
March 26, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – UCLA women's basketball assistant coach Tony Newnan has been named the NCAA Division I Assistant Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Wednesday.
Newnan, who joined the UCLA women's basketball staff in May of 2011, also acts as the program's international recruiting coordinator. Newnan and Associate Head Coach Shannon LeBeauf have served on Head Coach Cori Close's staff for the duration of her tenure. Newnans's 14 seasons on the staff have seen the Bruins compile an impressive 319 wins. With his help, the team advanced to the Sweet 16 in four-straight seasons from 2016-19 and secured an Elite 8 berth in 2018.
The 2025 WBCA Assistant Coaches of the Year are as follows:
"Aflac is proud to support the WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year awards and honor the assistant coaches who help their student-athletes on and off the court," said Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Garth Knutson. "Just as these coaches provide critical support to their teams, Aflac helps close the financial gap that health insurance doesn't cover. We remain committed to recognizing their impact and helping advance the future of women's sports."
In recognition of these coaches and the WBCA's commitment to community engagement, Aflac will give $5,000 in each coach's name to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, totaling $30,000. Named after former North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, the nonprofit funds innovative efforts to fight cancers affecting women while providing strength, courage and hope. To date, Aflac has contributed more than $100,000 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to support its mission.
In addition, Aflac and 25-45 WBCA coaches will host a basketball skills clinic on April 2 in Tampa, coinciding with the annual WBCA Convention. The clinic will provide 200 young female athletes in grades 5-8 with valuable coaching, mentorship and skill development opportunities.
Visit WBCA.org/awards/ to see a list of past recipients of the award.
Newnan, who joined the UCLA women's basketball staff in May of 2011, also acts as the program's international recruiting coordinator. Newnan and Associate Head Coach Shannon LeBeauf have served on Head Coach Cori Close's staff for the duration of her tenure. Newnans's 14 seasons on the staff have seen the Bruins compile an impressive 319 wins. With his help, the team advanced to the Sweet 16 in four-straight seasons from 2016-19 and secured an Elite 8 berth in 2018.
The 2025 WBCA Assistant Coaches of the Year are as follows:
| DIVISION | COACH | INSTITUTION |
| NCAA Division I | Tony Newnan | University of California, Los Angeles |
| NCAA Division II | Philip Sayers | Grand Valley State University |
| NCAA Division III | Nettie Respondek | New York University |
| NAIA | Jessica Garriga | William Carey University |
| Two-Year College | Marija Pacar | Odessa College |
| High School | Kayla Refner | Seton Catholic Preparatory High School |
"Aflac is proud to support the WBCA Assistant Coach of the Year awards and honor the assistant coaches who help their student-athletes on and off the court," said Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Garth Knutson. "Just as these coaches provide critical support to their teams, Aflac helps close the financial gap that health insurance doesn't cover. We remain committed to recognizing their impact and helping advance the future of women's sports."
In recognition of these coaches and the WBCA's commitment to community engagement, Aflac will give $5,000 in each coach's name to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund, totaling $30,000. Named after former North Carolina State women's basketball coach Kay Yow, the nonprofit funds innovative efforts to fight cancers affecting women while providing strength, courage and hope. To date, Aflac has contributed more than $100,000 to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund to support its mission.
In addition, Aflac and 25-45 WBCA coaches will host a basketball skills clinic on April 2 in Tampa, coinciding with the annual WBCA Convention. The clinic will provide 200 young female athletes in grades 5-8 with valuable coaching, mentorship and skill development opportunities.
Visit WBCA.org/awards/ to see a list of past recipients of the award.
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