LaNitra Perry recently wrapped up her third season as Toledo’s associate head coach and sixth year overall on the Rocket women’s basketball staff in 2019-20.
Perry works with all aspects of the program, including perimeter-player development, recruiting, academic support and opponent scouting.
Perry served as an assistant coach with the Rockets from 2008-11 and was elevated to associate head coach in 2011-12.
“Nitra made a significant impact on our program in her first year back,” three-time Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year Tricia Cullop said. “She is one of the most caring and invested coaches you will find in the country. Nitra is a gifted teacher, a strong communicator and does an amazing job building strong relationships with our current players and recruits. She is a big reason why our defense was the best in the league last year and our perimeter game continues to improve. We’re very fortunate to have someone of her caliber and experience on our staff.”
During her time at Toledo, Perry has helped the Midnight Blue & Gold amass a 131-69 overall record and a 68-32 MAC mark. Toledo has posted four 20-win campaigns over the course of those six seasons, winning three MAC West Division titles and earning four Postseason WNIT berths.
The culmination of Perry’s time at Toledo 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.
2019-20
Toledo registered a 14-17 overall record and a 7-11 mark in the Mid-American Conference.
The Rockets, who advanced to MAC Tournament Semifinals for the seventh time in the last 12 years, seemed on the verge of a memorable finish at the post-season event after knocking off No. 8 seed Akron and shocking No. 1 seed Central Michigan. However, Toledo’s ‘Cinderella Run’ came to an end when the tourney was canceled due to concerns about the Coronavirus pandemic.
Individually, senior Mariella Santucci led the MAC and finished tied for 25th in the NCAA in assists (5.2 apg, 160). Santucci graduated as the only player in program history to post 1,000 points (1,103, 24th), 600 assists (614, 5th), 500 rebounds (501) and 200 steals (202, 6th).
In addition, senior Arianne Whitaker and junior Nakiah Black were selected to ‘So You Want To Be A Coach’ program, becoming only the third and fourth players in school history to take part in the program.
2018-19
Toledo compiled a 21-12 overall record and an 11-7 ledger in the league.
The Rockets, who finished second in the MAC West Division standings, also made their 12th overall appearance in Postseason WNIT and seventh under Coach Cullop.
Toledo defeated BIG EAST member Seton Hall, 71-65, in the first round at home advanced to the second round for a seventh-straight time in the event. Their postseason run came to an end following a 54-47 setback against eventual tourney finalist Northwestern.
Individually, senior Kaayla McIntyre secured second-team All-MAC honors, while classmate Mikaela Boyd earned honorable mention accolades. McIntrye collected all-conference recognition for a second-consecutive year, while Boyd received post-season laurels for a third-straight season.
In addition, McIntyre was named to MAC All-Defensive Team, becoming second Rocket to garner defensive accolades.
In MAC games, Toledo paced the league in four categories - scoring defense (60.9 ppg), overall field-goal percentage defense (.384, 404-of-1,053), three-point field-goal percentage defense (.281, 90-of-320) and three-point field-goals allowed (5.0).
2011-12
Toledo registered a 24-10 overall record and a 13-3 mark in the conference.
The Rockets claimed a share of the MAC West Division title for a third consecutive season and secured a berth in the Postseason WNIT. Toledo advanced to the ‘Elite Eight’ of the postseason tourney, before suffering a heartbreaking overtime loss to then BIG EAST member Syracuse.
Individually, sophomore Andola Dortch became the first Rocket to garner MAC Defensive Player of the Year accolades, and three players earned spots on the all-conference teams. Toledo placed Dortch as well as junior Yolanda Richardson on the All-MAC second team and senior Courtney Ingersoll on the third team.
As a team, Toledo led the MAC in overall field-goal percentage (42.7%), three-point field-goal percentage (36.0%) and overall field-goal percentage defense (36.4%). Individually, Ingersoll was the nation’s most accurate three-point shooter, connecting on a sensational 44.2 percent (96-of-217) from beyond the arc and ranking 13th in the country in three-point field-goals made (2.8). Ingersoll’s 96 treys tied a MAC single-season record and her 44.2 three-point field-goal percentage stands second best in Toledo annals.
2010-11
The Rockets won a school-record 29 games and became the first MAC basketball program to capture a national postseason tournament. Toledo’s historic Postseason WNIT run was capped off by a 76-68 triumph over USC in the championship game before a school and conference women’s basketball record 7,301 fans.
Toledo also claimed an outright MAC regular-season championship for the first time in a decade with a 14-2 ledger, as well as successfully defending its MAC West Division title.
The Rockets featured junior Naama Shafir, a regional finalist for the State Farm Coaches’ All-America squad and first-team All-MAC selection and honorable mention all-league honoree senior Melissa Goodall.
2009-10
Toledo secured the outright 2009-10 MAC West Division title for the first time since 2000-01, and advanced to the league-tourney finals. The Rockets’ season was given new life after appearing in the MAC title game, though, as they earned an automatic invitation to the Postseason WNIT. Toledo defeated then BIG EAST foe Pittsburgh in the first round and moved into the second round for the first time since 1998. Their season came to an end with a setback to Big Ten member and eventual semifinalist Michigan in Ann Arbor. Toledo finished 12-4 in conference action and concluded the season with a 25-9 ledger.
Individually, Toledo featured a regional finalist for the State Farm Coaches’ All-America squad and first-team All-MAC selection in senior Tanika Mays. Toledo also placed sophomore Naama Shafir on the second team and junior Melissa Goodall was named honorable mention all-league.
2008-09
Picked to finish last in the MAC West Division, Toledo posted the league’s third-best record and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tourney. Toledo tallied an 11-5 league mark and wrapped up the year with an overall record of 18-13.
Individually, the Rockets were led by junior Tanika Mays and freshman Naama Shafir, who received second-team and honorable mention All-MAC honors, respectively.
Perry's Coaching Origin
Perry came back to Toledo for her second stint after being the associate head coach at Memphis in 2017-18.
Prior to working with the Tigers, she spent four seasons as head coach at Kennesaw St.
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).
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.
Perry arrived in Toledo following two seasons at her alma mater Mississippi St., where she was responsible for player development, practice preparation, assisting with recruitment and overseeing academics. While with the Bulldogs, she helped mentor All-SEC Freshman performers Alexis Rack and Mary Kathryn Govero.
Perry returned to her alma mater after serving as an administrative assistant with Georgia Tech for three seasons (2004-06), where she assisted with the summer camps.
Life as Student-Athlete
Perry was a four-year letterwinner for Mississippi St. (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 (19th; 1,124 points) and rebounding (8th; 746 boards).
Perry 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.
Perry graduated with a degree in education from Mississippi St. 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).
