"I'm extremely excited and happy with the staff I was able to put together," Harada said. "They each come from different backgrounds and bring different experiences to the table, but most of all they are great people who will represent the high standards of professionalism and diversity we have here at Cal State Fullerton. We share similar philosophies when it comes to coaching and the student-athlete experience, so I feel lucky to have them. I know our players and program will directly benefit from the skill set that each one of them possess."
Renno recently spent the last three years of her career at Cal State L.A. as an assistant coach spearheading the team's recruiting efforts, overseeing team academics, facilitating community service, developing a life skills program, managing all camps and clinics, mentoring the point guards as well as organizing scouting, scheduling, travel, and equipment.
"I've known Casandra for a long time and have followed her career as she has moved up the coaching ladder," Harada said. "She is a tireless worker and very connected in Southern California, which will help us identify, recruit and help keep our local talent at home. Her experience as a player in the Big West Conference is a major plus, and her passion along with her coaching experience in different areas will definitely help make my job a lot easier."
Renno helped the Golden Eagles to a 36-46 overall record over the last three seasons as Cal State L.A. finished the 2016-17 campaign with a winning record of 15-14, the first mark over .500 for the program since 2014. In addition, Renno coached six all-California Collegiate Athletic Association players during her time there.
Renno came to Cal State L.A. from the University of La Verne, where she spent the 2013-14 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
She began her coaching career as an assistant for La Sierra University in the 2005-06 season and was the girls' junior varsity head coach and assistant varsity coach at Hanau High School in Germany in 2006-07.
A four-year standout point guard at UC Riverside, Renno, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in liberal studies with a major in English and minor in education. She left the Highlander program as its all-time leader in assists and three-pointers, earning first-team all-Big West Conference honors in 2003 and 2004, all-Freshman honors in 2002 and Big West honorable mention accolades in 2005.
Burris spent the last five seasons an assistant coach on the Northern Arizona women's basketball staff, coordinating the team's recruiting efforts and handling scouting duties.
On the court, Burris managed the NAU defense and specialized in developing the play of the Lumberjacks' guards and swing players. She designed individual workouts, assisted in practice plans, served as an academic advisor, was the staff's liaison with sports information and compliance, helped facilitate community outreach and oversaw camps for two years.
"Karlie is a great young coach who is very familiar with the West Coast from her playing days as well as previous coaching experiences," Harada said. "Being from Arizona, she will definitely help our recruiting efforts there, while her time spent in the Pacific Northwest will also be a huge asset. She will be someone who will not only coach and mentor our players, but relate to them off the court and in the classroom as they transition to life in the real world."
Burris' guidance played a key role in helping NAU qualify for three consecutive appearances in the Big Sky Championship Tournament (2015-17). She also tutored two Big Sky Conference Freshman of the Year and coached eight players to all-conference awards while the team tallied 22 all-academic honors over five years, which included a two-time Academic All-American.
With Burris' assistance, Amanda Frost garnered All-Big Sky first team honors and a spot on College Sports Madness' Mid-Major All-American team during the 2013-14 season. Frost averaged a Big Sky best 22.5 points per game and set a new school season scoring record with 652 points.
Burris spent one season (2011-12) at Seattle University under former Arizona head coach Joan Bonvicini, serving as a video coordinator and graduate assistant for the Redhawks while earning a master's degree in sport administration and leadership. At Seattle, Burris was responsible for editing film and coordinating exchanges and assisting with team travel and functions. She designed and developed the team's E-newsletter and was instrumental in promoting the team's auction, post-season games, and banquet.
A 2009 graduate of the University of Portland, Burris was a West Coast Conference honorable mention selection and four-year letterwinner for the Pilots. For her work in the classroom, Burris was also recognized on the WCC All-Academic team.
Allen recently concluded a nine-year professional playing career that included stops in Turkey, Bulgaria and Israel. Most recently, the University of Notre Dame graduate served as a player-coach for BK Montana 2003 for the last two seasons in Montana, Bulgaria.
"Charel came highly recommended from some of the top coaches in our profession and her resume speaks for itself," Harada said. "As I've gotten to know her, I feel she is a quality human being who really understands what it means to be a student-athlete and how to maximize that overall experience. With her time spent in the WNBA and overseas, she brings instant credibility and will definitely play a major role in the player and skill development area."
Allen was as also an assistant coach for Monessen Middle School in Monessen, Pa., for the 2013-14 season. Since 2011, Allen has conducted The Charel Allen Basketball Camp and Highlight Game in Pittsburgh, Pa., and in addition, she has worked as a skill development trainer since 2009.
Her professional highlights include being drafted by the WNBA's Sacramento Monarchs in 2008, winning a Women's Adriatic Basketball Association regular season championship in 2017 while also earning all-WABA first team honors that season. Allen was a Bulgarian League champion in 2012 and 2016, and also won regular season titles in 2010, 2012, and 2015, while capturing the Bulgarian Cup in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2015 and 2016.
In addition, Allen was an all-Bulgarian League First Team selection in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2016 and was named the Guard of the Year in 2014 and 2016 as well as Player of the Year in 2014. She was named to the Bulgarian League all-Import Team in 2010, 2011, 2013 and 2014, and was named the League Import Player of the Year in 2014.
A 2008 graduate of the University of Notre Dame with a bachelor's degree in sociology and computer applications, Allen served as the team's captain in her final two seasons (2007 & 2008), and was also a Big East Conference First Team selection both of those years. She was an Associated Press All-American honorable mention in 2008 as well as a Women's Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American in 2007 and 2008. She was the first player at Notre Dame to reach 1,500 points, 500 rebounds, 200 steals and 200 assists.
SUPPORT THE TITANS!
Fans can purchase tickets for various Cal State Fullerton athletic events by visiting FullertonTitans.com/Tickets. The Athletic Ticket Office can also be contacted by phone at 657-278-2783 or by email at athletictixs@fullerton.edu. The Ticket Office is located at the Titan House off of Gymnasium Drive at the eastern end of the Intramural Fields and is open from 10 am – 4 pm PT, Monday – Friday.
FOLLOW THE TITANS
Fans can keep up with the latest in Titans athletics by following us on Facebook (@FullertonTitans), Twitter (@FullertonTitans), and Instagram (@FullertonTitans) and Snapchat (FullertonTitans). In addition, the women's basketball team has established its own official Twitter page (@WBBTitans) and Facebook Page (@WBBTitans).