Full Name
Coquese Washington
Job Title
Head Coach
Company
Rutgers Women's Basketball
Speaker Bio
Coquese Washington is the current head coach of Rutgers women's basketball, appointed in May 2022, bringing over two decades of championship experience and unwavering dedication to advancing women's basketball at every level. A three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year during her 12-year tenure at Penn State, Washington became the first female African American head coach in the school's history and led the Lady Lions to three Big Ten titles and four NCAA Tournaments.
A "Double-Domer" who earned both her undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from Notre Dame, Washington helped coach the Fighting Irish to eight consecutive NCAA Tournaments, four Sweet 16 appearances, and the 2001 NCAA Championship as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw. As a player, she still holds Notre Dame's career record for steals per game (2.7).
Washington's transformative impact extends far beyond the court. As founding president of the WNBA Players Association, she pioneered the league's first collective bargaining agreement and established the first free agency system in women's professional sports—revolutionary changes that elevated the entire landscape of women's professional basketball. Her six-year WNBA career included a championship with the Houston Comets and the historic achievement of becoming the first player to lead three different teams to the playoffs.
A tireless advocate for growth and equity in women's basketball, Washington's service spans governance, development, and inclusion. She has served on the WBCA Board of Directors leading committees focused on growing the game, currently Co-Chairs the WBCA's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and contributed to USA Basketball's development programs, including winning gold at the 2013 World University Games. From the NCAA Women's Basketball Issues Committee to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund Board, Washington has consistently championed initiatives that strengthen and expand opportunities in women's basketball. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Raynell Brown and their two children, Quenton and Rhaiyna.
A "Double-Domer" who earned both her undergraduate degree and juris doctorate from Notre Dame, Washington helped coach the Fighting Irish to eight consecutive NCAA Tournaments, four Sweet 16 appearances, and the 2001 NCAA Championship as an assistant under Hall of Fame coach Muffet McGraw. As a player, she still holds Notre Dame's career record for steals per game (2.7).
Washington's transformative impact extends far beyond the court. As founding president of the WNBA Players Association, she pioneered the league's first collective bargaining agreement and established the first free agency system in women's professional sports—revolutionary changes that elevated the entire landscape of women's professional basketball. Her six-year WNBA career included a championship with the Houston Comets and the historic achievement of becoming the first player to lead three different teams to the playoffs.
A tireless advocate for growth and equity in women's basketball, Washington's service spans governance, development, and inclusion. She has served on the WBCA Board of Directors leading committees focused on growing the game, currently Co-Chairs the WBCA's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, and contributed to USA Basketball's development programs, including winning gold at the 2013 World University Games. From the NCAA Women's Basketball Issues Committee to the Kay Yow Cancer Fund Board, Washington has consistently championed initiatives that strengthen and expand opportunities in women's basketball. She resides in New Jersey with her husband Raynell Brown and their two children, Quenton and Rhaiyna.
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