Head coach Octavia Blue announced the new additions of Chris Straker and Sherrie Tucker to the 2025-26 Kennesaw State women’s basketball coaching staff.
Straker and Tucker join Blue’s staff for the Owls’ second season as a member of Conference USA.
Straker comes to the Owls after being the assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the University of San Francisco.
“I am thrilled to welcome Coach Straker to our staff,” Blue said. “His depth of experience, passion for the game, and proven ability to develop talent will be a tremendous asset to our program. He brings a fresh perspective and a commitment to our team’s success both on and off the court. I’m confident that our student-athletes will benefit greatly from his leadership and mentorship.”
With the Dons, Straker assisted in the development of post players and helped Debora Dos Santos earn All-Conference First Team honors. Prior to his stint with San Fran, he was an assistant coach for San Jose State women’s basketball and helped coordinate the program’s life-after-graduation program.
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to join the Kennesaw State women’s basketball program,” Straker said. “It’s a privilege to work with Coach Blue, whose vision and leadership I deeply respect. I’m looking forward to contributing to the growth of our student-athletes and helping to continue build something special here at KSU.”
Straker also served as assistant coach for Georgia Southern from 2019-22, helping GSU achieve a top five scoring offense in the nation and tops in the Sun Belt Conference. At Columbus State University, he helped the program to 2018-19 Peach Belt Conference runner-up. From 2012-17 he was an undergrad assistant for San Diego State, assisting with the team that made the 2012-13 WNIT.
While in the United Kingdom, he was head coach for Leeds Beckett University and led the team to the 2010-11 British Universities National Championship. As head coach of the Manchester Mystics in 2009, he coached the U18 team to a national title and amassed a 70-10 overall record. He graduated from San Diego State with a bachelor’s degree in communications and from Columbus State with a master’s in servant leadership in 2021.
Tucker joins KSU as assistant coach/recruiting coordinator after serving at Bethune-Cookman in the same role.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome Coach Tuck to our coaching staff,” Blue said. “Her extensive experience, recruiting expertise, and deep understanding of our game in today’s climate make her an invaluable addition to our program. She brings a strong track record of identifying and developing talent, and her ability to connect with student-athletes will elevate our culture and competitiveness. I have no doubt she’ll make an immediate impact both on the court and in shaping the future of our team.”
While at BCU, she was responsible for on and off-campus recruitment and the organization of unofficial and official visits. She also was responsible for post and guard player development in addition to organizing and monitoring student-athlete academic success and graduation tracking. She helped BCU to be a top three defense in the SWAC in back-to-back seasons and oversaw the development of All-SWAC First Team and Newcomer of the Year Chanel Wilson.
“I’m truly honored to join the Kennesaw State women’s basketball program as an assistant coach,” Tucker said. “Coach Blue has built a culture of excellence, competitiveness, and family and I am excited to contribute to that vision. I look forward to working with this talented group of student-athletes, athletic department, university and community and helping elevate the Owls to new heights. Eager to get to work, Hooty Hoo!”
Before her time with the Wildcats she was the offensive coordinator for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi and was in charge of nationwide recruiting. From 2013-18, she served as associate head coach at Longwood University. She helped Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to its first Southland Conference Regular Season title and aided in the development of Southland Defensive Player of the Year Alexis Bryant.
She graduated from Coppin State in 2006 with a bachelor’s degree in liberal arts and was a two-time MEAC Champion and MEAC Player of the Year. She was a Coppin State Hall of Fame inductee.
Kennesaw State women’s basketball enters the campaign coming off the 2024-25 season where the team earned its first CUSA tournament win over UTEP and Prencis Harden earned All-CUSA First Team honors. KSU captured wins over Georgia State and Chattanooga and held Seattle to its fewest points in a non-conference home game since Dec. 2004. The Black and Gold won seven games in their first season in CUSA and led the league in double-doubles and second in three-point defense.
https://ksuowls.com/news/2025/6/4/straker-and-tucker-join-womens-basketball-coaching-staff.aspx
