LOS ANGELES – LMU women's basketball has hired Tamara McDonald to join Head Coach Aarika Hughes on the program's coaching staff. McDonald most recently spent a season on the bench at University of Washington in the Pac-12 and comes to the Bluff with over a decade of collegiate coaching experience and familiarity with the West Coast Conference.
 
"I am thrilled to add Tamara McDonald to our Lion family," said Hughes. "She is a forever learner and an expert in the development of people. Her understanding of leadership and how to elevate those around her is the reason I went after Tamara. I believe she will provide a balance and perspective that this staff and program truly need. Her basketball background as a player and coach speaks for itself and I cannot wait for our Lion community to meet her."
 
Prior to her season at UW, McDonald coached at Citrus College where she led the Owls to 65 wins over the course of five seasons as head coach from 2010-11 through 2014-15. Under McDonald's supervision, 11 of her players earn spots at four-year colleges. 

Prior to Citrus, McDonald served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona, helping the Broncos to 69 wins in five years including a 50-37 mark over the final three seasons. She closed out her time with the Broncos in 2009-10, helping guide the team to a 22-7 record and the team's first NCAA Tournament berth in five seasons.

McDonald was a former standout player at Pepperdine from 1999-2003. She was a three-time All-WCC selection, and in 2003 took home WCC Player of the Year honors. McDonald led the Waves to the postseason all four seasons in Malibu, as Pepperdine earned three NCAA appearances and one NIT trip during her time.
 
McDonald will begin on the coaching staff immediately.