Marsha Sharp


Marsha Sharp is the former head coach of Texas Tech University's women's basketball team, the Lady Raiders. She retired after 24 years at the conclusion of the 2005–06 season. Sharp was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

Early life

Sharp went to high school in Tulia, Texas. She graduated in 1974 from Wayland Baptist University in Plainview. She procured her master's degree in 1976 from West Texas State University in Canyon.

Coaching career

She became the head coach of the Lady Raiders in 1982. For most of the 1980s, Sharp's Lady Raiders were the second-best team in the Southwest Conference, behind the Texas Longhorns under Jody Conradt. However, they dominated the last years of the SWC's existence, winning the last five regular season titles in a row and three conference tournaments. Her best team was the 1992–93 unit, led by Sheryl Swoopes, which won the first NCAA championship by a Texas Tech team in any sport. After Texas Tech became a charter member of the Big 12 Conference in 1996, Sharp added three more regular season titles and two tournament titles.
Sharp's 24-year career won–lost records included a 258–89 record in conference play and a 572–189 record overall with no losing seasons.
In 2003, Sharp was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. The Marsha Sharp Center for Student-Athletes on the campus of Texas Tech and the Marsha Sharp Freeway in Lubbock are both named after Sharp.
Following Sharp's retirement from coaching, she was named Associate Athletic Director for Special Projects within the Texas Tech Athletic Department.

Head coaching record

Awards and honors