The UConn women’s basketball team has added two assistant coaches as head coach Geno Auriemma announced the return of Tonya Cardoza to the Huskies’ bench and the elevation of current staff member Ben Kantor.
New NCAA legislation went into effect on July 1 that allows for an increase of two coaches in men’s and women’s basketball. These additional coaches may engage in coaching activities but may not recruit off campus.
“We are so excited to be adding Tonya and Ben to our coaching staff,” Auriemma said. “I’ve known both of them for a long time and trust that they’ll be great additions and mentors on the court.”
Cardoza returns to Storrs for her second stint after being an assistant coach for the Huskies from 1994-2008. In her 14 seasons on the bench at UConn, the Huskies won five national titles. Cardoza also helped UConn to eight Final Fours, nine Elite Eights and 18 BIG EAST titles as she served a paramount role in building UConn into a powerhouse in women’s basketball.
“With the change in our roster makeup, it was critical that we get an experienced coach to work with our perimeter players,” Auriemma said. “Bringing Tonya here and having Morgan [Valley] gives us two amazing individuals and great teachers that our players can learn from.”
Cardoza previously worked with guards at UConn, helping develop All-Americans Jennifer Rizzotti, Shea Ralph, Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi.
“UConn is where I gained my foundation as a coach,” Cardoza said. “I’m thrilled for this opportunity to come back home to where it all started. I look toward to working alongside people who I consider my family.”
Cardoza served as the Temple women’s basketball head coach from 2008-22. In her 14 seasons in Philadelphia, Cardoza’s team competed in postseason tournaments seven times, including four NCAA Tournament appearances. She finished her time as Temple’s winningest head coach with a record of 251-188.
Cardoza played collegiately at Virginia, graduating with a degree in anthropology in 1991. She helped lead the Cavaliers to three ACC regular season titles and the 1991 NCAA Final Four.
Kantor has been on UConn’s staff since 2015 as a video coordinator. In his time in Storrs, the Huskies have won a national championship and 16 conference titles, and advanced to six NCAA Final Fours. Kantor has previously served a temporary assistant coach for UConn because of a COVID-19 blanket waiver when a member of the coaching staff has been unavailable.
“Ben has been part of our staff for quite some time and has handled all our video needs,” Auriemma said. “I’m excited to see all the ways that Ben can continue to impact our student-athletes by being on the floor.”
“I’m incredibly grateful to Coach Auriemma for this opportunity,” Kantor said. “I’ve learned so much from the coaching staff in my time in Storrs, and it’s an honor to now be a member of it. I’m looking forward to spending more time on the court with our student-athletes and getting to work for the upcoming season.”
Prior to his time in Storrs, Kantor was the video coordinator for Memphis women’s basketball. He served as an assistant coach at Houston Baptist from 2011-12 and at Colgate from 2010-11. Kantor was also the video coordinator at SMU from 2007-10.
Kantor graduated from Illinois, where he was a practice player for the women’s team for three seasons, in 2006 with a degree in finance.
Cardoza will begin her position at UConn this Friday. Kantor begins his new role immediately.
Tagged with: Big East
