LA Tech hires Kasondra McKay as Women’s Basketball Assistant

RUSTON – Louisiana Tech Head Coach Brooke Stoehr announced Friday the addition of Kasondra McKay as an assistant coach on the Lady Techster Basketball Staff.

McKay comes to Ruston after coaching stints at Northwestern State – where she worked alongside Brooke and Scott Stoehr – and most recently North Texas.

“I am thrilled to welcome Kasondra to the Lady Techster family and am excited about the impact she will have on our students and program,” said Stoehr. “Kasondra was an instrumental part of our championship runs and an invaluable member of our previous staff (at Northwestern State). She understands the expectations and standards we have for each other in our program and that makes the transition simpler.

“Her loyalty to the program, staff, and students will be second to none. Kasondra has a special ability to connect with people, and our players will learn a great deal from her on and off the court. Her recruiting ties and relationships throughout the state of Texas and Louisiana will allow her to impact our recruiting efforts immediately. We are fortunate to welcome Kasondra and Travis to Ruston and the Louisiana Tech family.”

A graduate of Weatherford College (2010, Associates in Arts), North Texas (2012, Bachelor’s in Science Kinesiology) and Northwestern State (2015, Masters in Sports Administration), McKay will be heavily involved in recruiting, academics and community service, while working with the Lady Techster perimeter players.

“I am humbled, honored and ecstatic to be joining the Lady Techsters coaching staff,” said McKay. “Coach Brooke has done a remarkable job guiding her program and giving back to her alma mater in a phenomenal way. She is graceful and passionate, and just a workhorse that vows to get it done, both on and off the court.”

During her assistant coaching days at Northwestern State (2013-15), McKay helped guide the program to the 2014 and 2015 Southland Conference championship and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The program won 40 games and posted a perfect 7-0 record in its Southland Conference title runs.

“I had the privilege of starting my coaching career as an assistant with the Stoehr’s back in 2013 at Northwestern State,” said McKay. “The Stoehr’s gave me an opportunity of a lifetime, and I am forever appreciative for it. We went on to win back-to-back conference championships and created memories of a lifetime.”

McKay has experience in Conference USA, spending four seasons on Jalie Mitchell’s staff at North Texas (2015-19). She was part of a coaching staff in Denton that helped take a 5-win program and turn it into an 18-win team in 2018-19 when the Mean Green advanced to the semifinals of the WBI. The 18 wins were the most in more than a decade and the win over UT-Rio Grand Valley in the opening round of the WBI was its first postseason victory in program history.

In her first year on the bench at North Texas, the Mean Green recorded a win over Big 12 foe Oklahoma in Norman, the program’s first ever win over a nationally-ranked team.

“I am absolutely sure there is something extraordinary brewing at Louisiana Tech, and I want to be a part of it,” said McKay. “I know how devoted the Stoehr’s are to serving, mentoring, and winning, while keeping an optimistic and upbeat mindset along the journey. I want to be a part of that. I plan to follow their lead and add to their many successes at Louisiana Tech.”

McKay is known for her recruiting prowess at both of her college coaching stops, helping garner talent out of both Texas and Louisiana. She helped recruit and sign District 7-5A MVP Emerald Mayfield from Bowie High School in Arlington at Northwestern State along with a number of other all-district players.

During her days in Denton, she helped recruit and sign all-conference caliber players in Terriell Bradley, Anisha George and Lauren Holmes to name a few.

As a two-year letter winner at North Texas (2010-12), McKay made 31 starts in 59 career appearances for the Mean Green. During the 2010-11 season, she averaged 6.6 points and 3.6 rebounds per game while leading the team with 99 assists. For her performance, she was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year.

McKay started her college career at Weatherford Community College where she averaged 10 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game.

The Arlington, Texas, native graduated from North Texas in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and a minor in communication. She was also a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and helped run summer camps for young players. She also holds a master’s degree in health and human performance from NSU.

McKay is married to Travis McKay, both graduates of Sam Houston High School.