The city of Las Vegas is bringing one of its own back home, as UNLV announced on Wednesday that former Durango star Lindy La Rocque will be its next women’s basketball coach.
La Rocque has spent the last three years as an assistant coach at Stanford, helping the Cardinal to an 87-22 record during that time, including trips to the Sweet 16 (2018), the Elite Eight (2019) and the Final Four (2017).
A Las Vegas native, La Rocque is one of the most decorated prep players in the city’s history. She scored 2,678 points at Durango while playing for her father, legendary coach Alan La Rocque, and she is still the school’s all-time leading scorer (boy’s and girl’s). She then moved on to Stanford, where she helped the Cardinal reach four straight Final Fours from 2009 to 2012.
La Rocque started her coaching career as a grad assistant at Oklahoma, then spent two seasons as an assistant at Belmont (2015-17) before joining the Stanford staff.
In her 11 seasons as a player and coach at the college level La Rocque has never failed to make the NCAA Tournament.
"I am so thrilled to be able to come back to my hometown of Las Vegas to lead the UNLV women’s basketball program,” La Rocque said in a statement. “It is truly special to return to a place and in a community that has essentially raised and has supported me throughout all of my life. I have been a Rebel fan since I was a young girl and to now be the head coach at UNLV is truly a dream come true.”
La Rocque takes over for former coach Kathy Olivier, who was fired after posting a 13-17 mark last season. Olivier compiled a 182-193 overall record during her 12 years at UNLV but never managed to lead the Lady Rebels to the NCAA Tournament.
Athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois is banking on La Rocque to be a long-term leader for the program.
“Our pool of candidates was exceptional, but Lindy’s character, intellect and energy really stood out,” Reed-Francois said. “She has worked for and learned from some of the best leaders in sports history and is a rising star in coaching.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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