Tanisha Wright

Biography

Tanisha Wright was named the seventh head coach in the history of the Penn State Basketball program on March 19. Wright enters her first season at the helm of the Lady Lions in 2026-27. The Lady Lion legend returns to her alma mater after a decorated playing and coaching career in the WNBA. Most recently, she served as an assistant coach for the Chicago Sky in 2025. Prior to her stint in the Windy City, Wright spent three years as the head coach for the Atlanta Dream from 2021-24. With the Dream, she led her squad to back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since 2013 in addition to three consecutive double-digit win seasons. Wright was named the AP Coach of the Year in 2022 following a 14-win season, the organization’s best mark since 2018. The four-year PSU letterwinner mentored Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray to consecutive All-Star appearances in 2022-23 and 2023-24 respectively. Along with Howard’s All-Star nod, Wright guided her to earning the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year, marking only the second in franchise history. Wright secured her first coaching position in the WNBA as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces from 2020-21. During her time with the Aces, she helped lead the team to the WNBA Finals in 2020 and the semifinals in 2021, before landing her first head coaching position with the Dream. Wright also has experience coaching at the national team level. She made her first appearance with USA Basketball as a court coach for women’s national team at th