University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
Assistant coach Tasha Brown
Photo by: Caren Nicdao
Women’s Basketball Thanks Tasha Brown for Eight Seasons with Bruins
June 26, 2026 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES – Assistant coach Tasha Brown is departing UCLA to join the University of Washington women's basketball staff, the programs announced Friday.
"It is hard to put into words just how much Tasha has meant to our program and to me personally," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "She has led with passion and character, and I am proud to have served next to someone with such an incredible heart and mind. She is leaving big shoes to fill, but we are so proud of Tasha for making an important decision and listening to her calling. We will miss her, and we will honor her eight years at UCLA by carrying on with elite preparation, mindfulness, and energy."
Brown reported to her post on May 29, 2018 and helped the Bruins compile 208 wins through the 2025-26 campaign. Her time in Westwood included seven NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Four berths, and the national championship title in 2026. The Bruins reached the Sweet 16 in four-consecutive campaigns.
"There are no words to fully express what the past eight years at UCLA have meant to me and my family. My heart is filled with gratitude for every person who has been part of this incredible journey," said Brown. "Coach Cori, thank you for being a friend and mentor. Your servant leadership, vision, and commitment to teaching, mentoring, and equipping young women have forever shaped me as a coach, leader, and person. Thank you for believing in me, challenging me, and trusting me along the way."
Brown worked closely with Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez to develop their jump shots over their four years at UCLA; both Jaquez (.390 3FG%) and Rice (.385 3FG%) shot career highs from 3-point range during their senior campaigns and improved their percentages year after year. They were two of six graduating Bruins that got drafted a week after capturing the national title, setting two WNBA records: most players drafted from a single institution in the first round (5), most players drafted from a single institution in the draft (6).
Brown spearheaded the "Mind Gym" for the UCLA Women's Basketball program - a mental conditioning program that helps develop healthy and advantageous mental practices to aid with the physical demands of the sport - and took over as the primary administrator of the trainings prior to the 2024-25 season.
She spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach at Rice University after spending the previous five seasons in the same capacity at the University of Cincinnati.
With more than two decades of coaching experience, Brown has made 10 postseason appearances and helped develop 21 all-conference award winners and 18 professional players. Prior to Cincinnati, Brown spent four seasons as the head coach at Western Michigan University, where she produced an All-Mid-American Conference selection and a MAC All-Academic honoree each year.
Full Quote from Coach Tasha
"There are no words to fully express what the past eight years at UCLA have meant to me and my family. My heart is filled with gratitude for every person who has been part of this incredible journey," said Brown. "Coach Cori, thank you for being a friend and mentor. Your servant leadership, vision, and commitment to teaching, mentoring, and equipping young women have forever shaped me as a coach, leader, and person. Thank you for believing in me, challenging me, and trusting me along the way.
To every Bruin I had the privilege of coaching, thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you. Watching you grow as athletes, leaders, and women has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
To our incredible staff—I loved the grind! Thank you for putting up with my jokes. To our administration, donors, fans, practice players, managers, event staff, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for believing in our mission. Together, we built something truly special.
Two things can be true at the same time…I can deeply love being a Bruin and still know that God is calling me forward into a new chapter. I leave with a full heart, lifelong friendships, and immeasurable gratitude. Once a Bruin, always a Bruin. Fours up!"
"It is hard to put into words just how much Tasha has meant to our program and to me personally," said The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close. "She has led with passion and character, and I am proud to have served next to someone with such an incredible heart and mind. She is leaving big shoes to fill, but we are so proud of Tasha for making an important decision and listening to her calling. We will miss her, and we will honor her eight years at UCLA by carrying on with elite preparation, mindfulness, and energy."
Brown reported to her post on May 29, 2018 and helped the Bruins compile 208 wins through the 2025-26 campaign. Her time in Westwood included seven NCAA Tournament appearances, two Final Four berths, and the national championship title in 2026. The Bruins reached the Sweet 16 in four-consecutive campaigns.
"There are no words to fully express what the past eight years at UCLA have meant to me and my family. My heart is filled with gratitude for every person who has been part of this incredible journey," said Brown. "Coach Cori, thank you for being a friend and mentor. Your servant leadership, vision, and commitment to teaching, mentoring, and equipping young women have forever shaped me as a coach, leader, and person. Thank you for believing in me, challenging me, and trusting me along the way."
Brown worked closely with Kiki Rice and Gabriela Jaquez to develop their jump shots over their four years at UCLA; both Jaquez (.390 3FG%) and Rice (.385 3FG%) shot career highs from 3-point range during their senior campaigns and improved their percentages year after year. They were two of six graduating Bruins that got drafted a week after capturing the national title, setting two WNBA records: most players drafted from a single institution in the first round (5), most players drafted from a single institution in the draft (6).
Brown spearheaded the "Mind Gym" for the UCLA Women's Basketball program - a mental conditioning program that helps develop healthy and advantageous mental practices to aid with the physical demands of the sport - and took over as the primary administrator of the trainings prior to the 2024-25 season.
She spent the 2017-18 season as an assistant coach at Rice University after spending the previous five seasons in the same capacity at the University of Cincinnati.
With more than two decades of coaching experience, Brown has made 10 postseason appearances and helped develop 21 all-conference award winners and 18 professional players. Prior to Cincinnati, Brown spent four seasons as the head coach at Western Michigan University, where she produced an All-Mid-American Conference selection and a MAC All-Academic honoree each year.
Full Quote from Coach Tasha
"There are no words to fully express what the past eight years at UCLA have meant to me and my family. My heart is filled with gratitude for every person who has been part of this incredible journey," said Brown. "Coach Cori, thank you for being a friend and mentor. Your servant leadership, vision, and commitment to teaching, mentoring, and equipping young women have forever shaped me as a coach, leader, and person. Thank you for believing in me, challenging me, and trusting me along the way.
To every Bruin I had the privilege of coaching, thank you for allowing me to walk alongside you. Watching you grow as athletes, leaders, and women has been one of the greatest joys of my life.
To our incredible staff—I loved the grind! Thank you for putting up with my jokes. To our administration, donors, fans, practice players, managers, event staff, and everyone behind the scenes, thank you for believing in our mission. Together, we built something truly special.
Two things can be true at the same time…I can deeply love being a Bruin and still know that God is calling me forward into a new chapter. I leave with a full heart, lifelong friendships, and immeasurable gratitude. Once a Bruin, always a Bruin. Fours up!"
Players Mentioned
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