Penn State’s decision to hire Tanisha Wright as head coach is being seen as both a homecoming and a gamble, and the move garnered mixed reactions with fans sharing strong opinions online.

On March 19, Talia Goodman relayed On3's report through an X update, confirming Wright's return to Penn State as a coach. Her résumé brings both familiarity and pro-level experience as she played in four NCAA Tournaments with the Lady Lions and later spent 4 years as head coach of the Atlanta Dream.

Goodman also highlighted Wright's feats as a player, mentioning, "Wright is a Penn State alum and was named 3x Big Ten DPOY, alongside All-American honors."

The hiring follows the program’s decision to move on from Carolyn Kieger after 7 seasons. During her tenure, the Nittany Lions posted just one winning season, going 22-13 in 2023–24, and failed to make an NCAA Tournament appearance.

That lack of sustained success ultimately led to the change, as Penn State now turns to Tanisha Wright to reset the program and chart a new direction.

Penn State Athletic Director Pat Kraft called the hire of Tanisha Wright the start of an “exciting new chapter” for the program. He pointed to the team’s proud history and standard of excellence while backing the decision. The move signals a fresh direction for the Lady Lions.

Wright, 42, shared her excitement about returning to Penn State. She said the school will always feel like home and called it an honor to take over as head coach. She is set to be officially introduced at a press conference on March 23.

Still, the reaction has not been entirely positive. While many fans are excited about her return, others have questioned the administration’s decision.

Penn State Coaching Hire Earns Both Praise and Backlash From Fans

"Very sad move. She was terrible to her players on the Atlanta Dream," one user on X wrote, expressing his opinion about Penn State's decision to appoint Wright.

Another user echoed the same sentiment, referencing her stops in Atlanta and Chicago. “She s***** in the ATL and she s***** in the Chi…good riddance and I wish her the best,” the comment read.

Critics have also pointed to Wright’s demanding coaching style and aggressive approach.

One example came after the Atlanta Dream’s 85-82 loss to the Dallas Wings. Wright called out her team’s ball security, pointing to 29 turnovers and 40 points allowed off them, along with missed free throws. It showed how direct she can be with her players.

Still, not all the feedback has been negative, as several fans have backed the hire.

"Something about that seems magical. After two decades, she's finally getting the respect she always deserved. Brava to Coach Tanisha Wright," one user wrote.

"She will be a good coach with them," another user chimed in, praising the AP Coach of the Year in 2022.

"Great Hire," another fan penned, while a second one mentioned, "Great way to empower black women and raise black voices."

Others simply shared their excitement and congratulated her, adding to the positive reaction online.

So, do you think Tanisha Wright is the right leader to turn Penn State around, or is this a risky move for the program?

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Written by

Sauramita Debbarma

Edited by

Souvik Roy