Westmont women’s basketball head coach Kirsten Moore has announced the hiring of Selena Ho as assistant coach. Ho brings eight years of NCAA Division I coaching experience to the Warriors as well as a four-year playing career at the University of the Pacific.
“I couldn’t be more pleased with the opportunity to hire Selena to come join our coaching staff,” said Moore. “She will be a great asset to our program with her basketball acumen. She is passionate about building relationships and mentoring student-athletes. She has a heart to make a difference in people’s lives and I’m excited for her to be a Warrior. She is no stranger to the Santa Barbara Community, having come over from UC Santa Barbara.”
Ho spent the last two years as an assistant for the crosstown UCSB Gauchos under head coach Lindsay Gottlieb. Prior to UCSB, Ho coached at both Oregon (2005-08) and UC Irvine (2002-05).
“I’m really excited to be here and for the opportunity that Kirsten and Westmont College have provided,” said Ho. “I’m in the process of getting to know all the young ladies and getting more familiar with the staff here. I think there are some incredible things that are brewing here. I’m really looking forward to a great season.
As a player at Pacific, Ho produced a stellar career. A four-time All-Big West selection, Ho holds the Tiger’s career records for three-point field goals (271), three-point field goal percentage (.406, 271 of 667) and free throw percentage (.823, 382 of 464).
“Selena is a student of the game,” said Moore. “She loves Xs and Os. We’ve been at dinner many times when we are using salt and pepper shakers to talk through different plays. She has a real mind for the game.
“One of Selena’s greatest strengths is her competitiveness,” continued Moore. “She is a winner, she is used to winning and she is willing to work very hard to win. She will hold our players to a high standard. I am really excited for her to work with them individually. She is great at individual skill development.”
Ho’s resume includes coaching both WNBA players and an Olympian.
“I have been a part of some really good teams,” said Ho. “Hopefully the things that I’ve learned from my former bosses and coworkers is something that I can bring here.”
“Hiring Selena completes our coaching staff,” said Moore. “Meghan Gnekow will return for her third year. She is a veteran assistant coach who has done a great job developing relationships with our players. She brings a high level of expectation and play that she was used to from playing at USC.
“Dani Russell will also be on our coaching staff this year. I am excited to have someone on the coaching staff who has lived the Warrior experience as a student-athlete. She brings her love of the game and her love for impacting people.”
Russell played for the Warriors from 2003 through 2007.
