Hana Haden Begins Era as Memphis Basketball Coach

The new head coach looks to modernize the Tigers offense ahead of the upcoming season opener.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Basketball

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a basketball player in motion, wearing royal blue and gray, illustrating the Memphis Tigers team. — Head coach Hana Haden begins her tenure leading the Memphis women's basketball team as the program prepares to host its season opener. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Hana Haden has officially begun her tenure as the head coach of the Memphis women's basketball team following her hiring in March 2026. She takes over the program as the Tigers prepare to host LeMoyne-Owen to open their new campaign.

Why it matters

Haden aims to implement a team-oriented offensive system that prioritizes half-court passing to boost scoring production across the roster. This philosophy marks a departure from previous seasons as the team targets double-figure scoring from multiple contributors.

Daejah Richmond returns after averaging 13.5 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.9 steals last season, while new addition Tierney Kelsey averaged 15.6 points per game at Indiana State. The roster is bolstered by 6-4 senior center Destiny Thomas.

The players

Hana Haden

She is the new head coach of the Memphis women's basketball team who previously led Georgia Southern to a conference championship.

Daejah Richmond

She is a returning guard for Memphis who averaged 13.5 points and 3.7 assists last season.

Destiny Thomas

She is a 6-4 senior center who joined the Tigers after transferring from Cincinnati.

Tierney Kelsey

She is a guard who joins the Memphis roster after averaging 15.6 points per game at Indiana State.

Alex Simmons

She is the former head coach of the Memphis women's basketball team who served for three seasons.

The details

The new coaching staff is emphasizing a high-paced style that encourages players to push the ball freely in transition following defensive stops or rebounds. Haden arrives in Memphis after successfully leading Georgia Southern to a Sun Belt championship during the 2025-26 season.

Hana Haden was hired as head coach in March 2026.
Haden led Georgia Southern to a Sun Belt title during the 2025-26 season.
The Memphis Tigers host LeMoyne-Owen on Nov. 2, 2026, at 6 p.m. CT.

Season Trajectory

Haden brings experience from the Sun Belt Conference where she secured a championship title during the 2025-26 season. Her ability to replicate this success will determine if Memphis can ascend within the competitive landscape of the upcoming season.

Fans should monitor the integration of transfer players like Destiny Thomas and Tierney Kelsey into the new offensive scheme to gauge potential scoring depth. The home opener on November 2 will provide the first look at how the team's half-court passing priorities affect overall output.

The takeaway

The team's success this season will hinge on how effectively the players adapt to Haden's transition-heavy offense. Improving perimeter efficiency and post presence will be critical for the Tigers as they integrate new talent.