Story Courtesy: Chelsea Pfohl, LBSU Assistant Athletics Director, Communications
Long Beach State has found its next leader for women’s basketball in one of the sport’s brightest coaching minds.
The Beach has named Minyon Moore the ninth head coach of the Long Beach State women’s basketball program, bringing to the LBSU sideline a rising star whose rapid ascent through the coaching ranks has been fueled by championship success, elite defensive acumen and a relentless commitment to player development.
“I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Long Beach State University,” Moore said. “From the moment I stepped on campus, I knew this place was special and exactly where I want to be.”
A former three-time All-Pac-12 Defensive Team selection and standout guard at USC and Oregon, Moore arrives in Long Beach after helping engineer one of the most dramatic turnarounds in college basketball at TCU. Moore just completed her third season with the Horned Frogs during the 2025-26 campaign, continuing her pivotal role in transforming TCU into a national contender alongside head coach Mark Campbell. The Horned Frogs finished 32-6 overall and 15-3 in Big 12 play in 2025-26, capturing a second consecutive Big 12 championship and advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight for the second straight season before falling to South Carolina in the Sacramento Regional Final.
“Minyon Moore is a rising star in the women’s college basketball ranks who brings a championship pedigree at all levels of her playing and coaching career,” said Long Beach State Executive Director of Athletics Bobby Smitheran. “Her energy and leadership style are infectious, and I can’t wait for our student-athletes and Beach Nation fans to experience her passion for the style of basketball she’ll bring to The Beach. Minyon’s experience building programs at both the mid-major and Power 4 levels has resulted in conference championships and, most recently, back-to-back Elite Eight appearances, and she has the vision and blueprint to elevate our historically successful program. As a developer of young women, she will be a tremendous role model for our student-athletes, empowering them to grow and reach their academic, athletic and personal goals. We are excited to bring Minyon back to Southern California, where she will have an immediate impact in recruiting thanks to her tireless work ethic, championship mindset and engaging personality. We welcome Minyon and her son Elijah to The Beach!”
At TCU, Moore oversees the Horned Frogs’ guards and directs the team’s defensive strategy. Her impact has been immediate and historic. Since arriving in Fort Worth in 2023, Moore has helped guide TCU to an NCAA-leading 26-game improvement, turning an 8-23 squad into a national power that captured both the Big 12 regular season and tournament championships while advancing to the NCAA Elite Eight.
The Horned Frogs finished 34-4 in 2024-25, earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and secured the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years. TCU also became the first Horned Frogs basketball team, men’s or women’s, to advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
Moore’s defensive identity became a defining characteristic of TCU’s rise. The Horned Frogs emerged as one of the nation’s top “3-and-D” teams, consistently ranking among the Big 12 and national leaders in field goal percentage defense, 3-point defense and blocked shots.
Before TCU, Moore helped orchestrate another historic turnaround at Sacramento State. Working alongside Campbell and associate head coach Xavier Lopez from 2021-23, she helped lead the Hornets to a school-record 25 wins, the program’s first Big Sky Tournament championship and its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance.
Her coaching success followed a decorated collegiate playing career. Moore starred at USC from 2016-19, earning All-Pac-12 Defensive Team honors twice before transferring to Oregon for her final season. At Oregon, she helped the Ducks capture Pac-12 regular season and tournament championships while earning her third career All-Pac-12 Defensive Team selection.
Known throughout the sport for her player-first approach and championship mindset, Moore has built a reputation as one of the nation’s top up-and-coming coaches. Silver Waves Media named her one of the “50 Most Impactful Mid-Major Assistants” ahead of Sacramento State’s landmark 2022-23 season.
Originally from Hercules, California, Moore graduated from Salesian High School in Richmond and helped lead the program to a North Coast Section championship. She later earned her bachelor’s degree in communications from USC and a master’s degree in advertising and brand responsibility from Oregon.
“Being from California and having spent much of my college career in Southern California, I’ve always known Long Beach State as a program with a proud championship tradition, passionate support and everything needed to compete at the highest level,” Moore said. “Having the opportunity to now lead this program is truly a dream come true.
“My background and experiences throughout my career have prepared me to build this program the right way through elite culture, meaningful relationships and high-level basketball. Our standard will be rooted in hard work, discipline, accountability and relentless effort every single day. We will not only develop competitive players, but also strong young women who value their education and are prepared for success far beyond basketball. I look forward to connecting with our players, staff, alumni, fans and the entire Long Beach community as we work together to build something special that everyone can be proud of. Go Beach!”
Moore now brings her winning pedigree and California roots to Long Beach State as she begins a new chapter leading The Beach.
A formal on-campus introduction of Coach Moore will take place later this month, and we look forward to the opportunity to welcome her to Beach Nation together.
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