Zenarae Antoine Named Texas State Women's Basketball Coach
SAN MARCOS, Texas - Texas State University announced Monday that Zenarae Antoine has been selected as the eighth women's basketball coach in program history. Antoine comes to San Marcos after three seasons with Arkansas as an assistant coach. Including Arkansas, Coach Antoine has been at numerous Division I programs, including Louisville, Ohio and College of Charleston.
"I am very pleased that Zenarae Antoine has agreed to lead the Bobcat women's basketball program as we prepare for our transition into the Western Athletic Conference," Texas State University President Dr. Denise Trauth said. "She brings high expectations for building a winning program and for helping our Bobcat student athletes graduate from Texas State."
This season Arkansas went 22-12, including a berth to the WNIT, where it advanced to the quarterfinals. In the first game of the WNIT, the Razorbacks beat Southland Conference opponent Lamar, 91-65.
During her time with the Razorbacks, she served as the recruiting coordinator. She opened with back-to-back nationally-ranked recruiting classes that included two players who earned All-SEC recognition as freshmen (Lyndsay Harris and C'eira Ricketts).
Managing the Razorbacks' extensive recruiting data base as the staff's recruiting coordinator, Antoine also worked with the wing guards and small forwards and serving as the coaching staff's liaison with the Razorback academic staff.
Prior to Arkansas, Antoine was the recruiting coordinator at Louisville, and guided the Cardinals to nationally-ranked recruiting classes her four seasons at UL. Her last two recruiting classes were No. 26 for 2006 and No. 25 for 2007. Among the most notable signees for the Cardinals were Kodak All-American and 2007 Big East Player of the Year Angel McCoughtry and Kodak Junior College All-American Helen Johnson.
Prior to Louisville, Antoine spent two seasons as an assistant at Ohio University, her second stint at the school. While at Ohio, whose mascot is also the Bobcats, she coached both guards and posts, and was in charge of scouting opponents.
Between stints at Ohio, Antoine spent a season as an assistant for College of Charleston, where she served as the lead recruiter for the southern region and also coached posts. She also had administrative duties such as coordinating travel, academics and community service.
Zenarae received her master's degree from Ohio in 2000 where her coaching career began as a graduate assistant. She coached post players while also helping out with academics.
During her playing career at Colorado State, Antoine was a three-year starter for the Rams. She played her senior season for head coach Tom Collen, who she would work under later at Louisville and Arkansas, as CSU went 24-6 and reached the NCAA second round during his first season as head coach.
Working with posts and guards during her coaching career, Antoine was an anchor in the middle for CSU during her playing days. She finished her career third in blocked shots and seventh in rebounding. She also ranks high for single season rebounds and blocked shots. During her career, CSU had two league titles and two NCAA appearances.
As a coach, Antoine has reached the posteseason a total of five times, going twice to the NCAA Tournament (2005, 2006) along with three WNIT appearances (2004, 2009, 2011). Including her playing career her total is seven, after making the second-round of the NCAA Tournament twice during her days at Colorado State.
Overall in her career she has had five classes that have received national recognition. One of her most notable signings was Angel McCoughtry, a three-time WBCA/State Farm All-American and 2009 WNBA Draft number one draft pick & Rookie of the Year. She has developed that talent even further, garnering over ten All-Conference players.
"Texas State women's basketball has enjoyed a rich tradition in the Southland Conference that includes Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Coach Linda Sharp and post-season titles and play," Antoine said. "I am very excited to energize our fan base in Strahan Coliseum and continue to reach out to new faces in our goal to make a statement during our last year in the Southland Conference as we transition to the Western Athletic Conference in 2012."
"I am thankful to Dr. Trauth, Dr. Teis and Tracy Shoemake for entrusting me with their women's basketball program. I am energized and look forward to what lies ahead for our program and fans."
Antoine is married to Ronald Antoine who is the wide receivers coach at South Alabama University. Antoine was a Katy, Texas, resident and earned her bachelor's degree in physical science with minors in geology and statistics from CSU in 1998, and her master's in athletic administration at Ohio in 2000. Antoine is a member of the WBCA and a 2002 graduate of the Women's Coaches Academy. The Antoines have twin sons, Zavier and Zachary, and a yellow lab named Daisy.
"Zenarae brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to Texas State women's basketball," Texas State Athletic Director Dr. Larry Teis said. "She has been very instrumental in the recruiting process at both Arkansas and Louisville and has relationships with the top high school coaches in the state of Texas."