The athletic department is excited to announce the hiring of Coach Laurie Byrd as the next leader of the women's basketball program at MiraCosta College. Coach Byrd comes to MiraCosta with a wealth of knowledge and experience. She played professionally for fifteen years before beginning her coaching career at University of Detroit-Mercy where she was an assistant coach for four years. Following her time at Detroit-Mercy Coach Byrd made the jump to the WNBA where she was an assistant coach between 2003-2011. During her time in the WNBA she coached for the Detroit Shock, Houston Comets, New York Liberty, and the Washington Mystics. In 2003 she was a part of the Detroit Shock coaching staff that won a WNBA World Championship.
After eight years in the WNBA Coach Byrd decided to move closer to family and began coaching at Santa Fe Christian High School where she coached from 2011-2019.
Coach Byrd brings with her some tremendous awards and honors. She is a 2013 Naismith Hall of Fame Nominee. She has also been inducted into the Eastern Michigan Hall of Fame as well as being awarded the 2004 Legends of Basketball Award. At the same time she was also named the Think Detroit Honorary Coach of the Year. In 2001 Coach Byrd was inducted into the Greater Flint Afro American Hall of Fame.
Athletic director Patrick Conahan said this about Coach Byrd. "Her resume is incredible, the success she has had as a player and coach is second to none, but what we are most excited about is her heart. When you meet Coach Byrd it is clear that she is a person that cares deeply about the people she coaches. She will be a tremendous role model as well as an experienced coach. We feel very fortunate that she is joining the Spartan family."