April 20, 2011
SAN DIEGO - Tammi Reiss, who played and coached in the WNBA and was an All-American at Virginia, has been named an assistant coach for the San Diego State women's basketball team, head coach Beth Burns announced Wednesday. Reiss will join the Aztecs next week and will be involved in every facet of the program, including working primarily with the team's guards.
"As we were looking to fill this position, we wanted someone who would be the perfect fit to complement the strengths of our existing staff; we did that and then some with the hiring of Tammi Reiss," Burns said. "Tammi is a relentless competitor, who plays to win in every facet of her life. She brings that intensity and tenacity to the bench and our program will feel that immediate impact. She's been where our players aspire to go.
"Her background as an athletic and Academic All-American at Virginia under legendary head coach Debbie Ryan, as well as a stellar career in the WNBA, makes her an invaluable resource. She has trained the best players in the world and our team is excited for the opportunity to get to work with coach Reiss."
Reiss (pronounced Reese) was an assistant coach for the WNBA Utah Starzz from 2001-02, before joining the franchise in its move to San Antonio in 2003. She helped head coach Candi Harvey with game and practice preparation, working primarily with the team's guards. Her other responsibilities included opponent scouting, talent evaluation, game management, player development and community relations.
The Starzz made their first-ever playoff appearance in 2001 and a year later, compiled a franchise-best 20-13 record en route to the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the eventual WNBA Champion Los Angeles Sparks.
"I am very excited and blessed to get this opportunity to get back into college coaching," Reiss said. "San Diego State's location and athletic and academic success, combined with the chance to work on the court developing student-athletes, offered me the perfect scenario.
"I have known coach Burns since she recruited me out of high school and her reputation in unprecedented. It will be a privilege to work and learn from her, as well as the rest of coaching staff."
The Eldred, N.Y., native spent three seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater, when Virginia advanced to the Elite Eight in 1995 and 1996, made it to the Sweet 16 in 1994 and claimed a pair of ACC regular-season titles in 1994 and 1995. Reiss assisted legendary head coach Debbie Ryan in all aspects of the program, including recruiting, game and practice preparation, player development, opponent scouting, film exchange and camp coordination.
One of the all-time greats in Virginia basketball history, she played for the Cavaliers from 1988-92, when the team made three consecutive Final Four appearances and earned two ACC regular-season and tournament titles. Reiss garnered both Kodak and USBWA All-America honors as a senior in 1992, was a four-time all-league honoree and twice was tabbed to the ACC championship all-tournament squad. The guard ended her career ranked first in school history in 3-pointers (139) and 3-point field-goal percentage (.416) and was second in points (1,842) and free throws (437).
Off the court, Reiss exceled in the classroom, where she was honored as an Academic All-American as a senior and was a three-time conference all-academic pick. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from UVA in sports management in 1992, and was selected to the Atlantic Coast Conference 50th anniversary women's basketball team in 2002.
Following her collegiate career, Reiss was chosen by the Utah Starzz in the first round (fifth pick overall) of the inaugural WNBA Draft in 1997. She averaged 7.2 points, 2.7 assists and 2.3 rebounds per outing in two seasons with the Starzz.
More recently, she was the personal training director at Gold's Gym and an operations manager for ProTech in the Salt Lake City, Utah, area. Reiss has also provided individual basketball instruction as owner and co-founder of Hoop Dream, Inc., as well as T & R Management.
The Tammi Reiss File
Birthdate
April 2, 1970
Hometown
Eldred, N.Y.
High School
Eldred Central High School
Alma Mater
Virginia, 1992
Coaching Experience
2003
WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars (Assistant Coach)
2001-02
WNBA's Utah Starzz (Assistant Coach)
1994-96
University of Virginia (Assistant Coach)
Playing Experience
1997-98
WNBA's Utah Starzz
1988-92
University of Virginia
Individual Playing Accomplishments
- WNBA First Round Draft Pick (fifth overall), 1997
- Kodak All-American, 1992
- USBWA All-American, 1992
- Academic All-American, 1992
- ACC All-Conference, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992
- ACC All-Conference Academic, 1990, 1991, 1992
- ACC Championship All-Tournament, 1990, 1992
- ACC 50th Anniversary Women's Basketball Team, 2002
- NCAA East Regional All-Tournament, 1990
- NCAA Midwest Regional All-Tournament, 1991
- Team co-captain, 1990, 1991, 1992