Dr. Carla Coleman began her first season as the head coach of the Owls basketball program in the Fall of 2021. Former Bryn Mawr College Director of Athletics Kathy Tierney announced her as the next head coach of the program in May of 2021. Coleman had served as an assistant coach for Bryn Mawr for three seasons, and she became the 12th recorded head coach of the program in Bryn Mawr history.
The 2024-25 season stands apart in Coleman's career as a benchmark year for the Bryn Mawr women's basketball team. Coleman coached the team through a record-breaking campaign. The team had a record of 7-18, the most wins the program has seen since the 1993-1994 season, most points in a single season (1246), 2nd place in field goals made during a single season (476), and 10th place in steals in a single season (192). Â
Coleman also coached senior and captain Jessica Smith to earn All-Centennial Conference second-team. This marks the first time since 2004-2005 the Bryn Mawr Basketball Program received this honor and only the third player in program history to earn this honor. Smith also passed the 1000-point career mark. Smith is one of seven players to reach this feat.
Coleman served as a counselor at Harriton High School for 24 years prior to coaching for the Owls. She also has extensive experience as a basketball coach at the Prep and AAU levels. In 2002, she got her start in coaching as an assistant coach of Harriton’s Girls varsity basketball team. She was named Head Coach in 2005. During her first year as Head Coach, Coleman led her team to the best start in school history, 8-0, and garnered their first playoff win in 30 years. Coleman also has put together two stints as a coach at a local AAU program, Kyniska Hoops, and gave Kyniska its first win over the nationally ranked Comets. Overall, she has over 15 years of experience coaching at the high school and AAU level.
As a collegian, Coleman was a standout performer at Penn State University from 1990-1995. She was a two-year starter for the Lady Lions, where she captured one Atlantic 10 and two Big Ten titles during her career. She was also a member of the 19U USA Basketball Team.
In the Fall of 2023, Coleman was inducted into the Pittsburgh Basketball Club Hall of Fame. As a high school player at McKeesport High School, she was a Three-Time Daily News 1st Team Selection, Two-Time Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous Five Selection, and Two-Time Terrific Twenty Selection. Nationally, Coleman was a Two-Time AAU All-American, USA Today All-American Honorable Mention, 1990 Streets & Smith All-American Honorable Mention and a Third-Team Pennsylvania All-State Selection. As a senior, Coleman averaged 26.1 points and delivered two triple doubles, the first in school history.
"Carla's passion for supporting student-athletes both on and off the court is grounded in her experience as an educator, coach, and former student-athlete," Tierney stated. "She articulated an exciting vision to meet the challenges of advancing our basketball program within the highly competitive Centennial Conference. She has a clear understanding of the Division III experience and embraces the opportunity to provide each student-athlete with a transformative experience. I welcome her to our team!"
Coleman received her bachelor's degree in Rehabilitation Services Education with a minor in Health Education from Penn State in 1995. She also earned her master's degree in Secondary Education/School Counseling from Penn State in 1997. In 2015, Coleman completed her doctorate in Human Services with a Specialization in Counseling Studies at Capella University.
"I am impressed with the investment administration has made in its athletic programs while maintaining high academic standards," stated Dr. Coleman. "These two areas are so important to me, which made this such a great opportunity."
"I also absolutely love the campus," Dr. Coleman continued. "Seeing the cherry blossoms in full bloom and walking the campus brought me back to when I had my first visit to Penn State. I am excited and grateful to Kathy for this opportunity, and I am looking forward to bringing in some of the best student-athletes that will represent the Bryn Mawr community well."
