Tasha Pointer was named head coach of the women's basketball program in August 2025. Pointer becomes the sixth head coach in program history.
The Chicago native is no stranger to New Jersey, having coached and played at Rutgers University. Pointer had two stints coaching with the Scarlet Knights under current Head Coach Coqueese Washington and Hall of Fame Coach C. Vivian Stringer.
"I am deeply honored to be named the next head coach at Kean University," stated Pointer. "My vision is to honor those who came before us, develop leaders on and off the court, and chase greatness together."
Pointer was responsible for 18 All-Conference selections, including the 2015 Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (Syessence Davis) and 2008 Big East Defensive Player of the Year (Essence Carson).
The Rutgers Hall of Famer had three recruiting classes rank in the top three and secured a commitment from a top 10 talent in 2013.
During her time on the sidelines, Rutgers made six NCAA Tournament appearances and one WNIT appearance. The Scarlet Knights reached the elite eight in 2007-08 and won the WNIT on 2013-14.
Between her stints with Rutgers, Pointer had two assistant coaching stops (St. John's & Northwestern) and a head-coaching position (Illinois-Chicago).
At UIC, Pointer had one Horizon Leage Second Team selection, one All-Freshman team selection, a Top five conference scorer and a conference leader in blocks.
The Flames had an academic turnaround under Pointer, boasting a 3.5 team GPA with five student-athletes earning a 4.0.
At SJU, Pointer again made the NCAA Tournament and won a Big East Title with a 23-10 team in 2016.
At Northwestern, Pointer coached a Big Ten All-Freshman and a Big Ten All-Honorable Mention selection. She recruited future WNBA first round pick Veronica Burton to Evanston.
Prior to her first stint at Rutgers, Pointer had stops at Xavier and Columbia.
At Xavier, the Musketeers won the A10 championship as Pointer coached both the conference Rookie and Sixth Women of the Year award winners.
At Columbia, Pointer coached two Ivy-League selections.
On the court, Pointer was a four-year player and 1,000-point scorer for the Scarlet Knights. She finished with over 1,400 career points and set the Rutgers all-time assists and steals records at the end of her career. Pointer guided the 2000 Rutgers squad to the first-ever final four appearance as a junior captain. At the conclusion of her collegiate career, she was the only player in Big East conference history to record 1,000 points, 700 assists, 500 rebounds, and 250 steals. The Big East Rookie of the Year in 1998 earned numerous honors over her 4-year career, including two All-American nods before her draft selection in the fourth round of the 2001 WNBA draft by the Portland Fire.
Pointer later played for the Chicago Blaze of the NBWL.
Pointer earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and mass media in 2001 and master's degree in education administration and supervision in 2003, both from Rutgers.
Updated 8-21-25
