Tony Newnan Promoted to Associate Head Coach
September 08, 2025 | Women's Basketball
LOS ANGELES - Tony Newnan has been elevated to associate head coach going into the 2025-26 season, The Michael Price Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach Cori Close announced Monday.
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Newnan has served alongside Coach Close for the duration of her tenure in Westwood; Newnans's 14 seasons on the staff have seen the Bruins compile an impressive 321 wins.
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"I am so grateful for Coach Tony," said Close. "He has been a linchpin of this program, an offensive guru and a master in the international recruiting game. Tony is invaluable - he's had a special way of coaching hearts each step of the way, so it was a no-brainer to promote Tony to associate head coach this summer. I am so proud of Tony and am excited to have him by my side in this position."
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Newnan has also helped guide the squad to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including the team's most recent appearance in 2025 โ the Bruins made their first appearance in the NCAA Final Four after an impressive campaign in 2024-25, capturing the Big Ten Championship by defeating USC in the title game. The team advanced to the Sweet 16 in four-straight seasons from 2016-19 and secured Elite 8 berths in 2018 and 2025. The Bruins have seven Sweet 16 appearances under Newnan's guidance.
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"Coach Tony is such a big part of our team and our team's success," said senior Gabriela Jaquez. "His knowledge for the game has truly helped me grow as a basketball player. I am so thankful I get to learn from Coach Tony."
Newnan was named 2024-25 NCAA Division Iย Assistant Coach of the Yearย by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
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Newnan has served alongside Coach Close for the duration of her tenure in Westwood; Newnans's 14 seasons on the staff have seen the Bruins compile an impressive 321 wins.
ย
"I am so grateful for Coach Tony," said Close. "He has been a linchpin of this program, an offensive guru and a master in the international recruiting game. Tony is invaluable - he's had a special way of coaching hearts each step of the way, so it was a no-brainer to promote Tony to associate head coach this summer. I am so proud of Tony and am excited to have him by my side in this position."
ย
Newnan has also helped guide the squad to nine NCAA Tournament appearances, including the team's most recent appearance in 2025 โ the Bruins made their first appearance in the NCAA Final Four after an impressive campaign in 2024-25, capturing the Big Ten Championship by defeating USC in the title game. The team advanced to the Sweet 16 in four-straight seasons from 2016-19 and secured Elite 8 berths in 2018 and 2025. The Bruins have seven Sweet 16 appearances under Newnan's guidance.
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"Coach Tony is such a big part of our team and our team's success," said senior Gabriela Jaquez. "His knowledge for the game has truly helped me grow as a basketball player. I am so thankful I get to learn from Coach Tony."
Newnan was named 2024-25 NCAA Division Iย Assistant Coach of the Yearย by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).
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Players Mentioned
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/ Women's BasketballUCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Players (Oct. 29, 2025)
Wednesday, October 29
UCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Coach Close (Oct. 29, 2025)
Wednesday, October 29
UCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Players (Oct. 1, 2025)
Wednesday, October 01
UCLA W. Basketball Media Availability - Coach Cori Close (Oct. 1, 2025)
Wednesday, October 01