UC Santa Barbara’s Women’s Basketball program has recently strengthened its coaching staff with the appointment of Tina Samaniego as an assistant coach. This announcement, made by Head Coach Renee Jimenez, marks a reunion between the two coaches who share a long history of collaboration.
“I’m excited to welcome CT back to the family,” Jimenez expressed in a statement. “Her intelligence, passion for the game, and winning mentality make her a perfect fit for our culture.”
Coaching Background
Jimenez and Samaniego have a proven track record, boasting a combined coaching record of 302 wins against 154 losses throughout their 16 seasons together. Their coaching journey began at Stanford University under Hall of Famer Tara VanDerveer in the 2004-2005 season and extended through various positions until 2024. Significantly, this alliance includes 15 consecutive years dedicated to Jimenez’s head coaching tenure in Division II.
In their time together, Samaniego and Jimenez achieved remarkable success. At Cal State Monterey Bay, they guided the team to three NCAA Tournament appearances from 2011 to 2013. Following this, they transformed Cal State San Marcos into a competitive force, leading the Cougars to four straight NCAA Tournament entries between 2020 and 2024, culminating in a Final Four appearance in 2024.
Professional Credentials
Before her long-term partnership with Jimenez at Cal State Monterey Bay starting in 2008, Samaniego served as an assistant coach at Pepperdine for two seasons. Her coaching career also includes experiences at Sacred Heart Cathedral Prep in San Francisco and Menlo College prior to joining Jimenez’s team at Stanford.
Samaniego graduated magna cum laude from the University of San Francisco, where she spent three seasons as an undergraduate assistant with the men’s basketball team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise and Sports Science from this institution, along with a Master of Arts in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management from San Jose State University.
Conclusion
As Samaniego re-enters the coaching fold at UC Santa Barbara, her extensive experience and previous achievements promise to contribute significantly to the Gauchos’ aspirations. With her deep understanding of the game and a shared vision with Jimenez, the team looks forward to a successful season ahead.
Big West
