LINDY LA ROCQUE CHOSEN TO LEAD UNLV WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PROGRAM
After being a part of 11 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including as a player and coach at Stanford, the Las Vegas native is returning home
@UNLVAthletics | @UNLVLadyRebels
LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Lindy La Rocque has been named the new head women’s basketball coach at UNLV, Director of Athletics Desiree Reed-Francois announced Wednesday.
A key part of 11 straight NCAA Tournament appearances, La Rocque is returning to her native Las Vegas where she prepped at Durango High School before playing in four straight Final Fours as a student-athlete at Stanford University. She has been an assistant coach with the Cardinal for the last three years under legendary head coach and Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer.
“We are so enthused about bringing Coach La Rocque back to Las Vegas to lead our women’s basketball program,” Reed-Francois said. “Our pool of candidates was exceptional, but Lindy’s character, intellect and energy really stood out. She has worked for and learned from some of the best leaders in sports history and is a rising star in coaching. She will be a great fit for our program, university and in the community.”
On the coaching staff at Stanford since 2017, the program consistently ranked among the top 10 in the country. The Cardinal made NCAA Tournament appearances in each season, including two Sweet 16s, an Elite Eight and won the Pac-12 Conference Tournament Championship in 2019. From 2017-20, Stanford had an overall record of 82-22 and was 43-10 in conference play.
“I am so thrilled to be able to come back to my hometown of Las Vegas to lead the UNLV women’s basketball program,” La Rocque said. “It is truly special to return to a place and in a community that has essentially raised and has supported me throughout all of my life. I have been a Rebel fan since I was a young girl and to now be the head coach at UNLV is truly a dream come true. Thank you to Desiree Reed-Francois and President Meana for this incredible opportunity and for their belief and trust in me to lead these young women. I cannot wait to get started!”
Prior to coaching at Stanford, La Rocque spent two seasons (2015-17) as an assistant coach at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, helping the Bruins to a pair of NCAA Tournament berths, including the program’s first in nine seasons. Belmont went 51-15 overall and 29-3 in Ohio Valley Conference play during La Rocque’s time there, winning the league’s regular-season championship during the 2016-17 season and the conference’s tournament title both seasons.
La Rocque began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at the University of Oklahoma, working for Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer Sherri Coale, while pursuing her master’s degree in education. The team played in both the 2014 and 2015 NCAA Tournaments.
La Rocque played at Stanford from 2008-12, appearing in 138 career games which ranks eighth in program history. She was instrumental in helping the Cardinal compile a 137-12 overall record during her four years, including an amazing 71-1 mark in Pac-12 play. Her team won four regular season conference championships and four league tournament titles, appearing in the NCAA Tournament each season and advancing to the national title game in 2010.
The eighth full-time head coach in UNLV women’s basketball history, La Rocque is the first originally from Las Vegas to be hired to lead the Lady Rebel program.
La Rocque earned a bachelor’s degree in science, technology and society, with an emphasis in earth systems, civil and environmental engineering, and calculus from Stanford in 2012. She holds a master’s degree in adult and higher education from Oklahoma, which she earned in 2015.
La Rocque was a decorated student-athlete at Durango High School in Las Vegas, where she became the school’s (boy’s and girl’s) all-time leading scorer with 2,678 points and holds many other program records.
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING…
Tara VanDerveer
Stanford Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer
“I am thrilled for Lindy and this excellent opportunity for her to return to her hometown and further her career as head coach of UNLV. First as a player, then as a coach, Lindy has helped maintain the championship tradition of Stanford women’s basketball. I’ve been pleased to see her channel her high IQ both on and off the court to assist our program in every facet, including recruiting, compliance and academic efforts. Because of her basketball knowledge, matched with unwavering loyalty and integrity, I expect her to do very well in Las Vegas.”
Bernard Muir
Stanford Director of Athletics
“Lindy La Rocque is a rising star in the profession and this is truly an exciting opportunity as she takes the next step in her career while returning home. Lindy’s influence on our student-athletes has been evident both on and off the court while her championship pedigree as a student-athlete gives her instant credibility and allows her to genuinely connect and build relationships with anyone.”
Sherri Coale
Oklahoma Women’s Basketball Head Coach
Women’s Basketball Hall of Famer
“Lindy is one of the brightest young minds in our game. She understands basketball and is passionate about teaching it. Her personal energy and the positive frame through which she sees the world will fuel her leadership of the UNLV program. Lindy La Rocque is a star.”
Bob Miller
Former Governor of Nevada
“As a Lady Rebel fan, I am excited that Lindy will bring her experience and enthusiasm to UNLV. I have known her since her childhood and watched her develop into one of the best high school players in our state’s history, then a Stanford star. She is a student and teacher of the game, and players and fans alike will benefit from her knowledge. I can hardly wait!”
Lute Olson
Former Arizona Men’s Basketball Head Coach
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer
“Congratulations to UNLV for hiring a young and energetic coach in Lindy La Rocque to head their women’s basketball program. I have known Lindy since she was born. Lindy was the first, and only girl, to attend my Elite Basketball Camp at the University of Arizona! I have always followed her career as a player and as a coach. Lindy is a student of the game and I predict much success in her coaching career.”
