The first thing you notice when you step into Coach Tanesha Daniels’ office is the emptiness. A few small boxes are stacked near the door filled with team gear that hasn’t yet found its spots. The only item that seems to have a permanent place is a championship ring sitting front and center on her otherwise bare desk. When asked about it, she smiles wide, picks it up, and slides it across the table for me to see as she recalls her proudest moment from coaching. “We won the conference tournament,” she says. “Getting a ring, being able to cut down the net. That group will be cemented forever,” Daniels says, referring to the team from Independence Community College in Kansas.
Daniels is Western Colorado University’s newest assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, and though her office isn’t quite full, her presence fills the room. She’s tall with red hair pulled back into a ponytail and is dressed fully in Western gear. Her laugh and easy-going personality somehow make the room seem full despite the lack of decoration.
Daniels, who grew up in West Haven, Utah, began her college basketball career at Salt Lake Community College. From there she worked her way up to a division 1 spot at Grand Canyon University, then headed professionally to play in England.
When she returned to the U.S., Daniels decided to try coaching. “It just kind of happened. I never really thought about coaching. Once I got my foot in the door, I realized I wouldn’t want to do anything else.” She got an opportunity at Eastern Arizona College, then moved to Independence Community College, Ranger College, Seward County, and then on to Butler CC before coming to Western.
“She brings a lot of confidence and calmness to our staff,” says fellow assistant coach Tia Williams. Junior Rori Hoffmeyer agrees. “She’s a positive role model. She knows how to lift us up and help us refocus when we need it,” Hoffmeyer said.
Daniels credits much of her coaching perspective to mentors who pushed her to see her own potential, including one in particular who played a key role in bringing her here to Western. “Papa Cole was my associate head at GCU, my junior year,” she explains, her eyes lighting up at the thought. “That’s my guy. He told me I’d be dumb not to take this job.” She says, “the career jump, being at the NCAA level, more pay, more exposure, more room to grow, bigger role and being closer to home” were some of the reasons he mentioned.
For Daniels, coaching is about more than wins and losses – it’s about the connections you make with your players. “We’re not going to be best friends,” she says smiling, “but we can be your support. If players know we truly care, they’ll give us even more.”
Now, with the start of the season approaching, Daniels is focused on what she values most – building relationships, developing confidence within her players, and having a strong defensive mindset. She’s quickly becoming a driving force within the program, and her journey from player to professional coach reflects the dedication she now brings to Western.