News Summary
The Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball team is undergoing a major change following the non-renewal of head coach Jeff Harada’s contract. The Titans, who have struggled in recent seasons, are now looking for a new head coach while facing key roster departures. Several players have entered the transfer portal, making the upcoming season a critical period for the program’s future. With an emphasis on rebuilding, the athletic department hopes to stabilize the team and restore competitive success.
Fullerton, California – The Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball program is set to undergo a significant change as Titan Athletics has decided not to renew the contract of head coach Jeff Harada. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, applications are currently open for the position on CSUF’s official website. The coaching change comes after a challenging period for the Titans, who struggled significantly during the recent season.
Harada, who was hired in 2017 following the departure of former coach Daron Park, faced a difficult tenure leading the women’s basketball team. Under Harada’s guidance, the Titans finished with a record above .500 only once—in the 2019-20 season—achieving a 17-14 record. Despite participating in the Big West tournament six times, the team fell short of qualifying for the NCAA tournament. The latest season concluded with a disappointing 7-23 record, as the Titans missed the playoffs by three games and ended the season on a five-game losing streak.
In light of Harada’s departure, the Titans will not only seek a new head coach but will also face challenges in maintaining roster continuity. Key players are set to leave the program, which is expected to impact the team’s performance moving forward. Notably, sophomore guard Aaliyah Stanton, who led the team in scoring with an average of 14.3 points per game, has already entered the transfer portal. Additionally, forward Eva Levingston, who averaged eight points and eight rebounds and was recognized as a member of the Big West All-Freshman team last season, also plans to transfer. Junior guard Demonnie Lagway, contributing an average of 6.4 points, is among the departing players as well.
The transition for the team is further complicated by the impending graduation of other key players, including forward Aixchel Hernandez and guard Emily Strachan. While the team will retain some talent in its freshman class—including Maddy Tauro, Jana Falsdottir, Madelynn Muniz, and forward Layla Davis—uncertainty remains regarding their future in the program, despite having played significant rotational minutes this past season. With several foundational players departing, the new head coach will face an uphill task in rebuilding the team.
The decision not to renew Harada’s contract reflects the program’s need for a fresh direction after a series of seasons that did not yield the desired results. The move comes on the heels of a past scandal involving the previous coach, Daron Park, who was bought out of his contract due to allegations of misconduct. This context adds an additional layer of complexity as the athletic department aims to stabilize and revitalize the women’s basketball program.
As the Titans embark on this new chapter, the future of the women’s basketball team hinges on the recruitment of a head coach who can effectively lead the team and foster a competitive spirit and enduring success. The timeline for appointing the new head coach and assembling the team for the upcoming season will be crucial, as Fullerton seeks to turn around the fortunes of its women’s basketball program.
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Additional Resources
- Fullerton Titans – John Bonner Named Head Women’s Basketball Coach
- Daily Titan – CSUF Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeff Harada Not Returning Next Season
- WhoopDirt – Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Position at Cal State Fullerton
- Long Beach State – Women’s Basketball Faces Cal State Fullerton
- Hawaii Athletics – Women’s Basketball Holds Off Cal State Fullerton
- Wikipedia: Cal State Fullerton
- Google Search: Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball
- Google Scholar: Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball news
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cal State Fullerton
- Google News: Cal State Fullerton women’s basketball
