Head Coach Linda Nash beginning her 21st season directing the women’s basketball program at Aquinas College. Nash is currently the 19th winningest active NAIA women's basketball coach. She is five wins shy of becoming the winningest coach in the school history, a title currently held by former coach Patti Tibaldi. Nash comments, “Patti Tibaldi was one of my role models growing up. When I was in high school I spent a lot of time at Aquinas College running up and down the court honing my basketball skills. It was 21 years ago that I called Patti and asked if I could coach with her. That was a special year for me. I was in charge of my former high school, Kenowa Hill’s suspension room while being a volunteer assistant with Patti Tibaldi (Aquinas College Hall of Famer) and Mary Takas (Aquinas College Hall of Famer). It was the farthest thing from my mind back in the day to even imagine two decades later I would be approaching my 20th year being the head coach of this prestigious program.”
Nash competed locally at Kenowa Hills High School where she was a three-sport athlete earning All-Conference honors in basketball, volleyball and softball. She comments, “That was back in the day when you didn’t have to specialize in one sport. I loved every sport that I played, but I knew at an early age that basketball was going to provide me with an opportunity not only to play, but to someday be a coach. When I stepped foot on the court, I was happy because I could compete and push myself to be the best player I could be. It was a time when women’s sports weren’t in the forefront and I didn’t care. I just wanted to play ball. My love for the game has not wavered.” Nash prided herself in being a hard-nosed competitor that wasn’t afraid to take the big shot when the game was on the line. She earned Athlete of the Year honors at Kenowa Hills as well as for the OK White Conference.
After completing high school, Nash continued her education and playing career at Central Michigan University where she was a four year starter at point guard. Nash adds, “My experience at CMU is one that I would never change. I had the opportunity to meet so many special people that are some of my closest friends to this day. I remember the feeling I would get when I put on my jersey for a game. I knew I was representing a program and that I was just a piece of that program’s legacy. It was a special time and the memories are ones that I will cherish for a lifetime. I try to instill in my Aquinas College player’s the opportunity they have to work hard as an individual and to focus meshing as a team. It’s a challenge, but when no one cares who gets the job done, it’s a beautiful thing.” Nash completed her undergraduate degree with a double major in Psychology and Physical Education.
She continued on her coaching path as a graduate assistant coach at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville, TN. The head coach at the time was Marynell Meadors who at the time was one of the most successful coaches in the nation. She later went on to coach in the WNBA with the Charlotte Sting and later with the Atlanta Dream. She was also an Assistant Coach with the Olympic team in 2012. After earning a Master’s Degree in Health and Physical Education, Nash moved to Houston, TX where she was an Assistant Coach at Rice University. Nash credits her mentors Patti Tibaldi, Marynell Meadors and Linda Tucker (Rice University) in her growth as a person and coach.
