Harvard University Women's Basketball

Carrie Moore at a Glance • Carrie Moore was named The Kathy Delaney-Smith Head Coach For Harvard Women’s Basketball, Erin McDermott, The John D. Nichols '53 Family Director of Athletics, announced on Wednesday, April 6, 2022. Moore, the fourth head coach in program history, arrived in Cambridge from Michigan where she helped the Wolverines to the Elite 8 round of the 2022 NCAA tournament. • In her debut season with the Crimson, Moore led Harvard to 20 wins, a new program record wins for a first-year head coach. Six of these wins were against programs with top-100 NET Rankings, also a program record for a first-year head coach. She led the team to their highest NET ranking in Harvard history, since the NET rankings went into effect in Summer 2018. • Moore earned her first Ivy League win as the Crimson defeated Princeton 67-59 in their conference opener and snapped her former team's 42-game Ivy League win streak.  • Following the Crimson's victory over Princeton, Moore was named the ESPN Coach of the Week for the week of January 2, 2023.  • Moore's first team was able to score Harvard's first ever Ivy Madness tournament win, beating Columbia 72-65 (OT) and advancing to the Ivy League tournament final for the first time in Harvard history. This win was the first upset based on seeds in Ivy Tournament history. • As the first ever first-year head coach to lead the team to postseason play in year one, she led the Crimson to their most ever postseason wins with three in the WNIT, defeating Towson, UMass and URI. After advancing to the WNIT Great 8, the team had played 32 games: the most in Harvard women's basketball history in one season.  • In her second year at the helm, Moore collected 16 victories and led the Crimson to its sixth straight Ivy Madness appearance. • In her third year as the leader of Harvard women’s basketball Moore led the Crimson to historic new heights. • The Crimson won a program-best 24 games, won its first Ivy League Tournament Championship, and returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years.  • Apart of its 24 wins in 2024-25, the Crimson defeated three power conference opponents including its second win in 20 years over a ranked opponent with its 72-68 overtime victory over No. 25 Indiana.  • On January 20, Moore’s first ever win inside the Palestra also marked win No. 50 as the head coach.  With the 73-44 win over the Quakers Moore became the fastest head coach to 50 wins in program history. • After battling for a title each of Moore’s first two seasons the Crimson were crowned champions at the 2025 Ivy League Tournament.  In the semifinal game against Princeton Harvard erased a 13-point deficit to defeat the Tigers 70-67.  The following day Harvard battled to a 74-71 victory over the top-seed Columbia Lions to win the title.With the conference crown, the Crimson punched its ticket to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2007.  Making even more history, Harvard received its lowest seed in program history, entering March Madness as a 10-seed.  The Crimson historic season ultimately came to a close in the opening round of the tournament, falling to the seven-seed Michigan State Spartans.  • Moore established a defensive identity in 2024-25, coaching the Crimson to become one of the best defensive teams in the nation.  Through many weeks in the season Harvard was the top scoring defense in the country and ultimately finished the season as the fifth best by holding opponents in 52.9 points per game.  • Individually, Moore was named the 2025 World Exposure Report Mid-Major Coach of the Year and a semifinalist for the 2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year.  • Moore's 60 total wins throughout her first three seasons marks the most in program history through any coaches' opening three years.  Features (Click on headline for link) • Carrie Moore Named the Friends of Harvard Women's Basketball Head Coach (April 6, 2022) • Harvard Athletics Welcomes Carrie Moore, New Basketball Coach (April 6, 2022) • Moore to be Inducted in WMU Hall of Fame  (August 26, 2022) • New Head Coach for Women's Basketball on Leading with Values (November 4, 2022) • Carrie Moore Earns ESPN Coach of the Week Distinction after Win over Princeton (January 2, 2023) • "We're Better Than That!" (January 12, 2023) • Carrie Moore Looks to Guide Harvard Women's Basketball to New Destinations (March 10, 2023) • Life's A Jump Ball (April 6, 2023) • 2022-23 Season Recap (April 12, 2023) • Making History and Ready for Moore: Carrie Moore, Coach of the Year (May 25, 2023) • Sports as a Classroom: Leadership & Diversity on and off the Basketball Court (April 1, 2024) • 2023-24 Season Recap (April 17, 2024) • Women's Basketball Drops No. 25 Indiana, 72-68, in Overtime Thriller (November 8, 2024) • Moore Named as 2025 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Finalist (March 6, 2025) • Women's Basketball Wins First Ivy League Tournament Championship in Program History, Defeating Columbia, 74-71 (March 15, 2025) • Carrie Moore Extended Through 2030 as Head Coach for Harvard Women's Basketball (April 4, 2025) • 2024-25 Season Recap (April 15, 2025) Before Harvard In her one season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in Ann Arbor, Moore guided Michigan to a 25-7 record (13-4 Big Ten) and a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Wolverines entered the postseason ranked 12th in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll, marking the program's highest regular-season-ending ranking in school history.   At the individual level, Moore helped Naz Hillmon become Michigan's first player to garner AP All-America First-Team honors, while coaching five All-Big Ten selections in 2021-22.   Prior to returning to her home state of Michigan, Moore spent two seasons at North Carolina, serving as the program's assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. During her time in Chapel Hill, she guided the Tar Heels to the 2021 NCAA tournament and signed a pair of highly regarded recruiting classes. Her 2019 class was considered the 10th-best nationally, while the 2020 group was ranked third as it featured three McDonald's All-Americans.   Along her path to Harvard included two different stints at Ivy League member Princeton. Before heading to UNC, Moore was an assistant coach for the Tigers, coaching Princeton to back-to-back Ivy regular-season and tournament titles (2017-18, 2018-19) en route to a pair of NCAA appearances, and a berth in the 2017 WNIT. She also served as the Tigers' director of operations for two seasons (2008-09, 2009-10), with the 2009-10 team capturing the Ivy championship and reaching the NCAA tournament.   In between her stints at Princeton was a five-year run at Creighton. As an assistant from 2010-15, Moore helped the Bluejays reach the postseason each year, including consecutive trips to the NCAA tournament in 2012 and 2013, a feat that had never been accomplished in program history.   Before embarking on a successful coaching career, Moore was a standout player at Western Michigan, where she scored a school-record 2,216 points. As a senior in 2006-07, she was named the Mid-American Conference Player of the Year after leading the nation in scoring at 25.4 points per game, marking the first time a MAC player won the Division I scoring title. In addition to her efforts on the court, which included her setting nine school records and four league records, Moore was a star in the classroom, collecting Academic All-America Second-Team accolades and landing on the nominee list for the Senior CLASS Award. She graduated magna cum laude from WMU in 2007, with a degree in journalism.   Once her time as a Division I player was up, Moore signed WNBA free agent contracts with the Phoenix Mercury and Chicago Sky, and then played professionally for one season in Poland.   Year School Role Conference National 2025 Harvard Head Coach Ivy Champs (2-0) NCAA First Round (0-1) 2024 Harvard Head Coach Ivy Semifinals (0-1) N/A 2023 Harvard Head Coach Ivy Final (1-1) WNIT Great 8 (3-1) 2022 Michigan Assistant Coach Big Ten Quarters (0-1) NCAA Elite 8 (3-1) 2021 North Carolina Assistant Coach ACC 2nd Round (0-1) NCAA First Round (0-1) 2020 North Carolina Assistant Coach ACC 1st Round (0-1) N/A 2019 Princeton Assistant Coach Ivy Champs (2-0) NCAA First Round (0-1) 2018 Princeton Assistant Coach Ivy Champs (2-0) NCAA First Round (0-1) 2017 Princeton Assistant Coach Ivy Final (1-1) WNIT First Round (0-1) 2016 Princeton Assistant Coach N/A NCAA First Round (0-1) 2015 Creighton Assistant Coach Big East Quarters (0-1) WNIT First Round (0-1) 2014 Creighton Assistant Coach Big East Semis (1-1) WNIT Second Round (1-1) 2013 Creighton Assistant Coach MVC Semis (1-1) NCAA Second Round (1-1) 2012 Creighton Assistant Coach MVC Champs (3-0) NCAA First Round(0-1) 2011 Creighton Assistant Coach MVC Quarters (0-1) WNIT First Round (0-1) 2010 Princeton Operations Director N/A NCAA First Round (0-1) 2009 Princeton Operations Director N/A N/A

Responsibilities: Offensive Coordinator, Skill Development Coordinator, Lead International Recruiter, Scheduling Liaison Steve Harney joined the Harvard Women's basketball program in May of 2022.  In his third year with the Crimson in 2024-25 Harney helped Harvard reach historic new heights, accumulating a program-best 24 wins, winning its first Ivy League Tournament Championship, and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years.  The third-year coach was also instrumental in the coaching of two All-Ivy honorees in Harmoni Turner (Player of the Year, first team) and Elena Rodriguez (Honorable Mention).  Harney continued his stint with the Crimson in 2023-24, helping the team to 16 total victories and its sixth straight Ivy Madness appearance.  He once again played a strong role in leading a trio of All-Ivy players in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (Honorable Mention), and Katie Krupa (Honorable Mention).   In his first season under Head Coach Carrie Moore with the Crimson, he helped lead the team to the Ivy League Tournament, where they got their first ever Ivy League Tournament win over Columbia. They then went on to win three games in the WNIT, making school history as the first team to the Great 8. Harney was an instrumental part in the development of three All-Ivy League honorees in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (second team) and Elena Rodriguez (Honorable Mention).  Harney joins the Crimson after a four-year tenure at Rider University where he rose through the coaching ranks to impact the team in different roles. Most recently, Harney served as an Assistant Coach, Director of Player Development and International Recruiting Coordinator for Rider. With Harney's help, the Broncs secured their first-ever MAAC championship and NCAA Qualifier after going 26-4 overall in the 2019-20 season. Harney also mentored the first-ever two-time MAAC Player of the Year, NCAA scoring title recipient, and WNBA Draft pick, Stella Johnson. Additionally, Harney coached the first-ever MAAC Defensive Player of the Year, Amari Johnson, and the first-ever MAAC Rookie of the Year Makayla Firebaugh.   No stranger to Ivy League hoops, Harney served as an assistant coach on the Dartmouth Big Green women's basketball staff for the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons before moving on to Rider. The 2017-18 Big Green squad posted the program's first winning record since 2008-09 with help from Harney, who served as a post-player development coach and lead analytics liaison on the staff.   Prior to Dartmouth, Harney spent two seasons as an assistant coach at Allegheny College in Pennsylvania. During his time at Allegheny, Harney served as a skills and defensive coach while assisting in the recruitment of players who brought the Allegheny program its first win over a National Top 25 team.   The Dickinson College graduate is eager to get to work in Cambridge   "When Harvard calls, you answer. And when Carrie Moore is on the other end, you answer quickly. And that's exactly what I did when she called to invite me to Cambridge and help lead the next generation of Harvard Women's Basketball," said Harney. "When I was young, my parents raised me to 'work hard and smart,' so living and working in an environment that pushes for excellence each day, gathers together to cooperate and innovate, and then takes equal time to reflect and rejuvenate fits seamlessly with my personal and professional philosophies. Being able to work alongside Coach Moore, someone who I have grown such an admiration for over the years, is simply a dream come true. Her ability to relate, connect, and inspire with players and colleagues will help take Harvard— and our sport— to new heights. I am humbled at the opportunity to build on a strong foundation set by Kathy Delaney-Smith and the Friends of Harvard Women's Basketball. I look forward to the responsibility of stewarding this program into a new era alongside Coach Moore, our staff, and our Harvard Women's Basketball players. From my walks across the Charles River to my heartfelt interactions with people across Cambridge— special surrounds you at Harvard. And I'm just glad they called. Go Crimson."

Responsibilities: Defensive Coordinator, Video Coordinator, Camp Coordinator, Social Media Coordinator, Academic Liasion, Scheduling Liaison Ariel Gaston joined the Harvard Women's Basketball staff as an assistant coach in May of 2022.  Gaston entered her third year with the Crimson in 2024-25 taking on a more specified role as defensive coordinator.  Under the guidance of Gaston, the Crimson reached historic new heights, accumulating a program-best 24 wins, winning its first Ivy League Tournament Championship, and returning to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 18 years.  The third-year coach was also instrumental in the coaching of two All-Ivy honorees in Harmoni Turner (Player of the Year, first team) and Elena Rodriguez (Honorable Mention).  As defensive coordinator, Gaston helped the Crimson become one of the best defenses in the nation.  Harvard climbed the ranks as the nations top scoring defense throughout the season, eventually ranking first on January 27, by holding opponents to 50.9 points per game, and remaining there for several weeks.  Harvard ultimately ended the season as the fifth ranked scoring defense in the country by holding opponents to 52.9 points per game.  In the Ivy League Harvard ranked first in scoring defense, opponent field goal percentage, and steals.    Gaston continued her stint with the Crimson in 2023-24, helping the team to 16 total victories and its sixth straight Ivy Madness appearance.  She once again played a strong role in leading a trio of All-Ivy players in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (Honorable Mention), and Katie Krupa (Honorable Mention).   In her first season under Head Coach Carrie Moore with the Crimson, she helped lead the team to the Ivy League Tournament, where they got their first ever Ivy League Tournament win over Columbia. They then went on to win three games in the WNIT, making school history as the first team to the Great 8. She was an instrumental part in the development of three All-Ivy League honorees in Harmoni Turner (first team), Lola Mullaney (second team) and Elena Rodriguez (Honorable Mention).  Gaston landed with the Crimson after a successful stint as an assistant coach with the Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2022. On the court, she helped mentor the Liberty League Rookie of the Year and assisted in the development of three other All-Region selections. Her other duties with the Herons included practice planning, scouting, skill development and recruiting.   A University of New Hampshire (UNH) graduate, Gaston also has experience coaching at the AAU level with the U16 Syracuse Royals. Serving as the head coach this past season, Gaston created, implemented and led all game and practice planning for the Royals. She also began to utilize video analysis for recruiting, scouting and skill development purposes. With the Royals, Gaston gained critical knowledge in college recruiting by serving as the liaison between her players and collegiate coaches.   Prior to her time with the Herons, Gaston held assistant coaching positions at Johnson and Wales University in 2020 and Dean College in 2019. While with Dean, Gaston helped produce the first 1,000-point player in school history and helped develop two First-Team All-conference players and All-Americans.   No stranger to the court, Gaston starred for the UNH Wildcats as a point guard from 2011-15. The two-time team captain earned America East's Player of the Week Award five times and was named to the All-America East Third Team in 2015. Gaston also landed on the America East All-Defensive Team in 2015. She graduated from UNH with a bachelor's degree in psychology in May of 2015 and earned her master's degree in college athletic administration from Northeastern University in 2020.  

ZsaZsa Lawson was hired as the Director of Basketball Operations for the women's basketball team in May of 2022.  Lawson joins the Crimson after spending the 2021-22 in the same role for the Seattle University Women's Basketball program.   While with Seattle, Lawson was the main point of contact for all the team's internal and external affairs. She also directed and oversaw all travel and equipment operations for the program.   Before landing with the Redhawks, Lawson served as an assistant coach at Cal Poly Pomona for four seasons. Amongst her responsibilities with the Broncos, Lawson led recruiting efforts for the program. In her time in Pomona, Lawson signed over 20 student-athletes including four Division I transfers and three CCAA Junior College All-State award winners.   The Broncos posted a 64-25 record while Lawson was on the bench, making a run to the CCAA Championship and NCCA Tournament in 2018-19 while going 25-6. Lawson also mentored nine All-CCAA Team selections during her time with the program.   Before Cal Poly Pomona, Lawson was a member of the Mt. San Antonio College staff from 2010-17.  With the Mounties, Lawson helped guide the team to four California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Final Four appearances and two CCCAA State Championships. During the offseason, Lawson also worked for West Coast Premier Academy as a Head Coach Administrator. She managed various teams in the AAU program that played on the Nike EYBL Circuit, assisting with player development, skill assessment and practice preparation.   As a player, Lawson earned two State Championships in 2007 and 2008 while at Mt. SAC. As a sophomore, she was named First-Team All-South Coast Conference and led the team to a 37-1 record. She continued her playing career at BYU-Hawaii while receiving her bachelor's degree in University Studies that she earned in 2010.