Rashana Miller, a former WNBA draft pick who played in the 2000 Final Four for Penn State, has joined the Yale women’s basketball staff as Director of Women’s Basketball Operations. Allison Guth, Yale’s Joel E. Smilow, Class of 1954 Head Coach of Women’s Basketball announced.
“I am jazzed to be introducing Rashana Miller as the newest addition to our staff and Yale Women’s Basketball Family,” Guth said. “Our history runs deep with genuine and authentic personal and professional connection. I feel so fortunate that our players will have the ability to be mentored by such a phenomenal human being both on and off the floor. I am looking forward to tapping into all of Mrs. Miller’s professional strengths and talents in order to better our program in every aspect.”
Miller brings a unique background to the Bulldogs, including a master’s degree in urban studies with a concentration in youth development. She and Guth first coached together 16 years ago as assistants at Loyola Chicago. For the past five years Miller has been running her own business, a handmade jewelry company named Free Maiden.
“I’m so excited to be joining forces once again with Coach Guth,” said Miller. “I’ve always respected and appreciated her passion for the game. More importantly, I deeply connect with her manner of relating to players and her desire to focus on and reinforce their holistic development.”
Prior to starting Free Maiden Miller was a college and high school coach, including three seasons as an assistant at Rider from 2007-08 through 2009-10. There, she worked primarily with the post players while also coordinating the team’s community service efforts and counseling services. Prior to her time with the Broncs she was an assistant at Loyola Chicago for two seasons, which is where she first came to know Guth. Miller coached the Ramblers’ post players, while Guth worked with the backcourt. Miller also served as academic adviser and assisted with recruiting.
Miller (née Rashana Barnes) is a 2002 graduate of Penn State. She earned the team’s Unsung Hero award as a sophomore when PSU reached the 2000 NCAA Final Four in Philadelphia. She was named All-Big Ten her junior and senior years, ending her career third on the team’s all-time blocked shots list (189) while becoming just the 11th Nittany Lion to record 1,000 points and 700 rebounds in a career. She also set the Nittany Lions’ freshman record for blocked shots. The Los Angeles Sparks made her their third-round selection (48th overall) in the 2002 WNBA Draft.
Miller earned her master’s degree from Eastern University in 2013. She is a 1998 graduate of West Catholic High School in Philadelphia. She returned to West Catholic in 2010 to coach the girls’ basketball team and work as associate admissions director. She served as coach until 2012 and eventually rose to the level of vice principal.
