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WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
COACHING STAFF
THARA INNOCENT
Head Coach
PHONE:
(818) 802-2001
EMAIL:
tharainnocent@nobeluniversity.edu
> BIO
Coach Thara Innocent brings over 20 years of dynamic coaching experience to her new role at Nobel University, eager to make her mark in university athletics. She joins the Knights after a successful tenure at the community college level, where her passion for developing athletes and building winning programs set her apart.
Most recently, Coach Innocent served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Pierce College Women’s Basketball Program from 2022 to 2024. In just her second season, she orchestrated a historic turnaround, leading the team to an unprecedented 13-win record—the best in program history—after a two-year hiatus. Her leadership, vision, and relentless drive revitalized the women’s program, earning her recognition for transforming struggling teams into competitive forces.
A native of the San Fernando Valley, Coach Innocent is a proud graduate of Chatsworth High School (Class of 2001). She began her collegiate journey at Pierce College in 2005 before transferring to the University of Phoenix, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management in 2012. Committed to her craft, she went on to earn a master’s degree in Kinesiology from California Baptist University in 2016, deepening her expertise in athletic performance and coaching.
Coach Innocent’s diverse coaching background spans multiple levels, including college, high school, and youth basketball. She was the founding coach of the Los Angeles Mission College women’s basketball program and also held key coaching roles at Oxnard College, San Fernando Valley Academy, Hollywood High School, and El Camino Real Charter High School, where she guided the team to a flawless 27-0 CIF league championship season. Her impressive résumé also includes coaching elite AAU travel teams, youth camps, and adult leagues, showcasing her versatility and commitment to player development.
Beyond the court, Coach Innocent is deeply embedded in the City of Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department, where she served as a recreation coordinator, creating and directing impactful camps, clinics, and classes. In 2010, she made history as the first coach to lead a team to a City-Wide All-Stars Tournament championship at Granada Hills Recreation Center. Known for her tireless work ethic and inspiring mentorship, she lives by her guiding motto: “Hard Work Plus Sweat Equals Success.”
A respected figure in the basketball community, Coach Innocent also served as Treasurer of the California Community College Women’s Basketball Association, where she contributed to the growth and advocacy of the sport.
Now at Nobel University, Coach Innocent is ready to elevate the Knights program with her unwavering dedication, strategic mindset, and proven ability to cultivate both individual and team success. She is passionate about empowering student-athletes to excel on and off the court, fostering a culture of excellence, discipline, and heart.
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