Tina Langley, who has helped develop Maryland into a Final Four program over the past seven seasons, has been named the fifth head coach in Rice University women’s basketball history, director of athletics Joe Karlgaard announced on Tuesday.
"Tina Langley is a winner," Karlgaard said. "She’s an enthusiastic, demanding, and caring coach who develops young women into great players, students, and citizens. I’m ecstatic that she’s agreed to lead our women’s basketball program."
Langley spent the last seven seasons serving as Maryland’s associate head coach, compiling a 195-49 record during that time. The Terrapins are coming off a 2014-15 campaign in which Langley helped guide the team to their second consecutive Final Four appearance and a 34-3 record, climbing as high No. 3 in the USA Today Coaches Poll.
"First and foremost I would like to thank President David Leebron, Dr. Joe Karlgaard, and Stacy Mosely for giving me this opportunity," Langley said. "Throughout the interview process, it was clear to me that this administration is passionate about helping the women’s basketball program succeed at the highest level. I am also grateful to Coach Mike Rhoades for making time to share his vision for Rice basketball. I am excited for what the future holds at Rice."
Maryland went 18-0 in league play in their first year in the Big Ten to win the regular season title and followed with a conference tournament title. The Terrapins set a school record by winning 28-straight games and the 34 overall victories tied for the most in school history.
As head coach Brenda Frese’s top assistant, Langley’s responsibilities included coordinating the Terps’ recruiting efforts, assisting in player development, scouting, and on-court coaching.
"This is a terrific move by Rice," Frese said. "Tina is a star in this business. I know from firsthand experience that Tina will bring a work ethic and passion that is second to none. During Tina’s time at Maryland we won championships, made Final Fours and helped a lot of players achieve their dreams athletically, socially and academically. She made a huge impact on our program. I can’t thank her enough for what she has meant to our team and personally to our family."
In 17 years on the sidelines, Langley has coached 34 All-Conference players, led her teams to 11 postseason appearances (11 conference championships in Big Ten, ACC and MAC), and has developed 14 professional players, including six WNBA draft picks. She’s helped to bring in nine ranked recruiting classes among her stops and three have been ranked as top-10 classes.
Prior to arriving in College Park in 2008, Langley served as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at both Georgia (2005) and Clemson (2003-05). While at Clemson, Langley worked under legendary head coach Jim Davis. In her two years with the Tigers, the team advanced to the 2004 Women’s Basketball Invitational (WNIT) while also orchestrating a Clemson-record six-signee class, which was ranked in the top 30 nationally in her first season.
Langley spent five seasons at the University of Toledo (1998-03). She began her coaching career with the Rockets as a graduate assistant coach in 1998-99, before moving up to recruiting coordinator and then associate head coach during the 2002-03 campaign. She helped the Rockets reach the postseason three times, including two NCAA Tournament appearances. During her tenure, Toledo also won three Mid-American Conference regular season titles (1999, 2001 and 2003) and two conference tournament crowns (1999 and 2001).
Langley played basketball and volleyball collegiately for two seasons at Belvill State Junior College before transferring to the University of West Alabama, where she lettered twice in basketball. She graduated from UWA with a degree in special education in 1996, and earned her first master’s degree in Recreation and Leisure with an emphasis in recreation administration from the University of Toledo. Langley would later earn a master of arts in community counseling at the University of Alabama in 2008.
"Rice University has a rich tradition of excellence in the classroom and in athletics," Langley said. "There are only a handful of universities that afford student-athletes the opportunity to excel in both areas at the national level. That is what makes Rice such a special place. I feel fortunate that I can walk into the home of a high school student and promise her and her parents that their academic goals will be valued every bit as much as their basketball goals, and that both can be achieved at the highest level at Rice."
