Natalie Marlowe named Head Women's Basketball Coach

Natalie Marlowe, formerly an assistant coach at Cal State Monterey Bay, has joined Hartnell College as head coach of the Panthers Women's Basketball team.

In addition to the past two seasons at CSUMB, Marlowe has been an assistant coach at three other universities since graduating from Chicago State University in 2012, most recently for two seasons at the University of Texas-Dallas.

Before that, the South Milwaukee, Wis., native was a strength and conditioning coordinator and point guards coach at University of the Incarnate Word, a NCAA Division 1-AA school in San Antonio. She also coached three seasons as an assistant and recruiting coordinator at Division III Hendrix College in Arkansas. "I've been an assistant coach at every level of the NCAA D1, D2 and D3 and it has helped me see and develop different styles of basketball," Marlowe said.

"I've helped rebuild and turnaround other programs, been able to recruit and evaluate talent and have gained so much experience along the way. I feel I have developed a very good outlook and gauge of student-athletes and their fit."

At Chicago State, she was a four-year starting guard, earning honorable mention All-Great West honors twice and second team All-Great West recognition as a senior. She helped lead the Cougars to the Great West regular-season and postseason tournament title as a junior. She ended her playing career ranked second all-time at CSU in assists (396).

Marlowe has a bachelor's degree in communications with a minor in public relations, and she stresses the importance of establishing rapport with student-athletes.

"Building relationships with players and developing that solid base of trust will help us as we move along," she said. "Our main purpose will be to serve our student-athletes, help them be better people, students, getting their AA degree, and 10 years down the road they can pick up the phone and reach out to me sharing life highlights."

Daniel Teresa, dean of academic affairs, athletics, physical education and health, said Hartnell Athletics is excited to have Marlowe join the Panther coaching staff."She brings a wealth of experience, knowledge, energy and passion," Teresa said. "We're looking forward to seeing her with her team, but also the impact she will have on our department as one of our faculty members."

Women's Basketball is coming off a challenging season with a shrinking roster that put heavy demands on the squad, which finished 1-26 overall.

As she takes over from previous coach Jim Rimando, who served for two seasons, Marlowe said she wants to keep all of Hartnell's returners from 2019-20 – and add fresh talent.

"I've talked to all the girls and would like them to continue with the program," she said. "We'll have some new faces joining the team, too."

The timing and duration of the Panthers' 2020-21 season will depend on a decision by the California Community College Athletic Association, which on July 17 is expected to announce a scheduling plan in response to COVID-19.

Marlowe's plan for her team's success boils down to a single phrase: "We're going to be the hardest workers."

"Let's be efficient, fundamentally sound, score as much as we can in transition and be up-tempo," she said. "And defense: We want to play great defense."