Coaching Staff

Kirsten McKnight
Coaching Record
2005-06 14-16
2006-07 17-13
2007-08 21-9
Total 52-38

KIRSTEN McKNIGHT MOORE

Head Women’s Basketball Coach

E-Mail Coach Moore

Kirsten Moore has completed her third year as Warrior head coach. After posting a first year coaching record of 14-16, Moore led the Warriors to a 17-13 record in her second season and a trip to the NAIA National Tournament. In 2008, the Warriors compiled a record of 21-9, finished the season with a #19 ranking and made a return trip to the NAIA National Tournament.

As a coach, Moore seeks to have a positive impact in the lives of her players.

“I would describe myself as encouraging, positive, competitive, passionate about the game and passionate about people,” said Moore. “I want my players to grow deeper in their relationship to God and to see in a very practical sense how that applies to their athletics, their academics and their future job and family.”

Moore came to Westmont in the summer of 2005 from the University of California, Berkeley where she served as an assistant women’s basketball coach for four years. While at Cal, Moore designed and implemented a new recruiting system which produced the number six ranked recruiting class in 2005, including two McDonald All-Americans. Her on court responsibilities for the Golden Bears included match-up zone defense, transition offense and defense, motion offense, triangle offense and guard and forward development.

Initially a walk-on at the University of Oregon, Moore earned a full scholarship and became team captain through a relentless work ethic and positive attitude. After graduation in 1998, Moore served as an assistant coach in the Duck’s women’s basketball program for three years, during which time Oregon won two PAC-10 championships and made three trips to the NCAA Tournament.

As a collegiate athlete, Moore participated in four NCAA Tournaments and was selected by her teammates as the 1998 Bev Smith Most Inspirational Player.  Twice she earned Academic All-PAC-10 honors and in 1998 she was nominated for regional GTE Academic All-American recognition.

After receiving a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Oregon in 1998, Moore continued her education in Eugene, earning an MBA in 2001 with a concentration in marketing and an emphasis in sports business.

In addition to her coaching duties, Moore also serves as Associate Director of Athletics. Her administrative responsibilities include community relations and heading up the Murchison Gymnasium renovation project.

“My personal goal as Associate Director of Athletics is to share Westmont’s vision with people in the community,” said Moore. “I want people to know what an incredible place Westmont is and what a remarkable experience it is to be a Westmont student-athlete. What is happening in the lives of these student-athletes is significant and I want to share it with others”

On May 17 of this year, the coach was wed to Alex Moore, a former professor at Westmont in the biology and kinesiology departments. Moore is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences at the University of Missouri. About her husband, Moore says, “He’s a pretty smart guy.”

 


Tony Newnan

Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach

Assistant Coach Tony Newnan has completed hes sixth year with Westmont Women’s Basketball. With significant coaching experience at the highest levels of collegiate women’s basketball, he brings a wealth of knowledge and skill to the team.

"Tony has been a rock for our team," said head coach Kirsten Moore. "He has been here the longest of anyone in the program. He has a great appreciation for what Westmont basketball is about and the work ethic which Westmont women’s basketball stands for. He pushes the players to do their best but at the same time loves them and cares for them like they were his own daughters."

Newnan spent ten years as an assistant women’s coach at UC Santa Barbara, helping the Gauchos reach to national prominence and to appear in the NCAA National Tournament. In 2000, Newnan moved to Oregon State University, where he served as the top assistant coach for the women’s program. Specifically, Newnan worked on individual skill development with players, directed the offense and coordinated UCSB and OSU’s recruiting efforts.

"Tony has coached at a high level for a long time," said Moore. "I am thankful to have him on my team. He has a great eye for the game whether it is game plan preparation or game time adjustments. He’s a great collaborator as we work together to determine the best system to use and how to put our players in the best situation to be successful."

Newnan and his wife Theresa returned to Santa Barbara in 2001 and are parents of a two-year-old daughter named Bella. Newnan earned his bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from UCSB and currently works in the real estate business.