A Double Shift in Coaching Leadership
Long Beach State has tapped Minyon Moore as its new head coach, entrusting her with a program that lost its previous leader suddenly. A California native, Moore arrives after stints that revitalized Sacramento State and TCU, where she emphasized culture and defensive discipline. Her immediate priority is to inject stability while leveraging deep ties to the region.
Moore has already added nine players to the roster, three of whom share local roots, a move she believes will accelerate chemistry. She notes that her familiarity with the area’s talent pools gives her a distinct advantage in constructing a competitive squad. Her early coaching career began as an assistant under Mark Campbell at Sacramento State, a period that culminated in the Hornets’ first NCAA Tournament appearance.
A Different Philosophy at Fullerton
At Cal State Fullerton, Sammy Doucette steps into the head‑coach role after achieving success at the junior‑college level. Rather than fixating on win‑loss records, she stresses hard work and a positive team culture. Doucette has assembled a five‑player signing class that includes three athletes with junior‑college experience, underscoring her belief that recruiting from that pipeline offers a viable path for Division I programs.
Both coaches are navigating a landscape where traditional pipelines are shifting. Their approaches reflect a broader trend among West Coast programs to blend local engagement with strategic recruitment, aiming to restore competitiveness while fostering environments that attract and retain talent.