Former Toledo associate head coach LaNitra Perry will return to the Rockets’ 2018-19 coaching staff.
Photo by: Toledo Athletics
LaNitra Perry Returns to Toledo Women’s Basketball Coaching Staff
4/19/2018 11:35:00 AM | Women's Basketball
TOLEDO, Ohio - Former Toledo associate head coach LaNitra Perry will return to the Rockets' 2018-19 coaching staff, head coach Tricia Cullop announced on Thursday.
Perry makes her second stint with UT after being the associate head coach at the University of Memphis last season.
"I'm thrilled to have LaNitra back," Cullop said. "She played an integral role in helping us re-establish a championship mentality during her previous stint at UT. I know our alumni will be excited to see her back because of the great bonds she developed during that time, and I can't wait for our current players and recruits to enjoy her infectious personality. LaNitra is an outstanding person, possesses an tremendous work ethic and is very knowledgeable in every aspect of the game."
Perry served as an assistant coach with the Rockets from 2008-11 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2011-12.
While working on Cullop's original staff at Toledo, Perry helped the Midnight Blue & Gold amass a 96-40 overall record and a 50-14 Mid-American Conference mark over the course of four seasons. UT posted three 20-win campaigns during this time, winning three MAC West Division titles and earning three-straight Postseason WNIT berths.
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The culmination of Perry's time at UT came in 2010-11 when the Rockets won a school-record 29 games (29-8 record) and captured the 2011 Postseason WNIT championship. With the WNIT crown, Toledo became the first MAC men's or women's basketball program to claim a postseason national title. That same year, Perry was also instrumental in signing the MAC's top-rated recruiting class.
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In her final season with the Rockets in 2011-12, Perry nearly helped the Midnight Blue & Gold successfully defend their Postseason WNIT crown. Toledo went 24-10 overall and advanced to the 'Elite Eight', where they dropped a heartbreaking 74-73 overtime decision against Syracuse University.
"I'm beyond excited to be back at UT and working alongside Coach Cullop once again," Perry said. "It's not often that you get a chance to return to such a special place that is full of special people. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It feels so good to be back."
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Perry left Toledo and spent the next four seasons as head coach at Kennesaw State University.
In 2014-15, Perry guided the Owls to their most-successful season (17-13 record) since they moved to the NCAA Division I level in 2005-06 and became a full Division I member in 2009-10. The 17 victories were the program's most wins since joining the NCAA Division I ranks and the most since it won 18 games in the Owls' final season at the NCAA Division II level (2004-05).Â
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KSU tied for fourth place in the 2014-15 Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season standings, marking the program's best league finish. That same year, Perry coached her first postseason award recipient with Jasmine McAllister earning A-Sun Newcomer of the Year honors.
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Prior to her time in Toledo and Kennesaw State, Perry served on staffs at her alma mater Mississippi State University (2006-08) and Georgia Tech (2004-06).
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Perry was a four-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs (1996-2000) and was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honorable mention pick in 1999 and 2000. She also earned SEC All-Tournament Team and SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades in 2000. She still ranks in the Top 20 on the Bulldogs career charts in scoring (16th; 1,124 points) and rebounding (6th; 746 boards).
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She helped lead MSU to three-straight postseason appearances, including two NCAA Championships. The 1999-2000 squad won 24 games (24-8 record) and advanced to the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
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Perry graduated with a degree in education from Mississippi State in 2000. Before joining the coaching ranks, she played professional basketball overseas (2001 in Portugal; 2002 in Italy) and in the United States (2003-04 with NWBL's Birmingham Power).
What They Are Saying About LaNitra Perry
"I was ecstatic when I heard the news Coach Perry was returning to Toledo. Not only is she a players' coach and a proven winner on so many levels, but she is an incredible human being. Her ability to relate and get the most out of her players is second to none. What sets LaNitra a part from so many others is her competitive fire and commitment to the process, which can only help to change and improve those she works with day-in and day-out. There's a reason Tricia and her have remained connected and are now together again - they understand what it takes to WIN!"
- Former Rocket Allie (Clifton) Kalsow (2007-10) (Cleveland Cavaliers Sideline Reporter for Fox Sports Ohio)
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Perry makes her second stint with UT after being the associate head coach at the University of Memphis last season.
"I'm thrilled to have LaNitra back," Cullop said. "She played an integral role in helping us re-establish a championship mentality during her previous stint at UT. I know our alumni will be excited to see her back because of the great bonds she developed during that time, and I can't wait for our current players and recruits to enjoy her infectious personality. LaNitra is an outstanding person, possesses an tremendous work ethic and is very knowledgeable in every aspect of the game."
Perry served as an assistant coach with the Rockets from 2008-11 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2011-12.
While working on Cullop's original staff at Toledo, Perry helped the Midnight Blue & Gold amass a 96-40 overall record and a 50-14 Mid-American Conference mark over the course of four seasons. UT posted three 20-win campaigns during this time, winning three MAC West Division titles and earning three-straight Postseason WNIT berths.
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The culmination of Perry's time at UT came in 2010-11 when the Rockets won a school-record 29 games (29-8 record) and captured the 2011 Postseason WNIT championship. With the WNIT crown, Toledo became the first MAC men's or women's basketball program to claim a postseason national title. That same year, Perry was also instrumental in signing the MAC's top-rated recruiting class.
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In her final season with the Rockets in 2011-12, Perry nearly helped the Midnight Blue & Gold successfully defend their Postseason WNIT crown. Toledo went 24-10 overall and advanced to the 'Elite Eight', where they dropped a heartbreaking 74-73 overtime decision against Syracuse University.
"I'm beyond excited to be back at UT and working alongside Coach Cullop once again," Perry said. "It's not often that you get a chance to return to such a special place that is full of special people. I'm so grateful for this opportunity. It feels so good to be back."
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Perry left Toledo and spent the next four seasons as head coach at Kennesaw State University.
In 2014-15, Perry guided the Owls to their most-successful season (17-13 record) since they moved to the NCAA Division I level in 2005-06 and became a full Division I member in 2009-10. The 17 victories were the program's most wins since joining the NCAA Division I ranks and the most since it won 18 games in the Owls' final season at the NCAA Division II level (2004-05).Â
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KSU tied for fourth place in the 2014-15 Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season standings, marking the program's best league finish. That same year, Perry coached her first postseason award recipient with Jasmine McAllister earning A-Sun Newcomer of the Year honors.
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Prior to her time in Toledo and Kennesaw State, Perry served on staffs at her alma mater Mississippi State University (2006-08) and Georgia Tech (2004-06).
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Perry was a four-year letterwinner for the Bulldogs (1996-2000) and was a two-time All-Southeastern Conference (SEC) honorable mention pick in 1999 and 2000. She also earned SEC All-Tournament Team and SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades in 2000. She still ranks in the Top 20 on the Bulldogs career charts in scoring (16th; 1,124 points) and rebounding (6th; 746 boards).
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She helped lead MSU to three-straight postseason appearances, including two NCAA Championships. The 1999-2000 squad won 24 games (24-8 record) and advanced to the SEC Tournament Championship Game.
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Perry graduated with a degree in education from Mississippi State in 2000. Before joining the coaching ranks, she played professional basketball overseas (2001 in Portugal; 2002 in Italy) and in the United States (2003-04 with NWBL's Birmingham Power).
What They Are Saying About LaNitra Perry
"I was ecstatic when I heard the news Coach Perry was returning to Toledo. Not only is she a players' coach and a proven winner on so many levels, but she is an incredible human being. Her ability to relate and get the most out of her players is second to none. What sets LaNitra a part from so many others is her competitive fire and commitment to the process, which can only help to change and improve those she works with day-in and day-out. There's a reason Tricia and her have remained connected and are now together again - they understand what it takes to WIN!"
- Former Rocket Allie (Clifton) Kalsow (2007-10) (Cleveland Cavaliers Sideline Reporter for Fox Sports Ohio)
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