UC Merced basketball coach makes her mark, becomes fourth woman to lead men’s team
UC Merced assistant basketball coach Leticia “Moses” Oceguera recently joined a very short list of women who have served as the head coach of a collegiate men’s basketball team.
Oceguera, 28, served as the Bobcats acting head coach last Saturday, Feb. 5, against Pacific Union College because head coach Kevin Pham was forced to miss the game due to COVID-19 safety protocols.
Oceguera is believed to be just the fourth women to serve as head coach of a collegiate men’s team, joining Kerri-Ann McTiernan (CUNY Kingsborough/1995-2001), Teresa Phillips (Tennessee State/Feb. 13, 2003) and Tamara Moore (Masabi Range College/2020-Present).
“The opportunity meant a lot,” Oceguera said. “Obviously I feel honored because it was a big responsibility. Being only the fourth woman to do it I know it means a lot to women all over the country. It was a big win for (women), but I know there is still a lot more to do.”
With a short-handed team, the Bobcats lost 77-74 to Pacific Union College last Saturday. The Bobcats are 7-10 overall and 4-3 in the California Pacific Athletic Conference.
In good hands
Senior guard Zach Phipps said the players had complete faith with Oceguera in charge.
“We all had 100% confidence in her,” Phipps said. “She shows up every day. She helps us every day. She’s always well prepared in everything she does.”
Phipps says Oceguera is like Pham in so many ways and for good reason.
Oceguera played at UC Merced when Pham was coaching the Bobcats women’s team. She was his point guard and played on four teams that won California Pacific Conference Tournament championships.
“She’s like a baby coach Pham,” Phipps said. “She’s been with him for so long. She knows his tendencies, she knows the way he coaches. She knows what plays coach Pham is going to call. Everything was the same.”
Oceguera graduated from UC Merced in 2016. She worked as an assistant coach for the women’s team for one season after graduating.
After playing over in Europe, Oceguera returned to Merced to help Pham coach the men’s team the past three seasons.
Coaching men
“The transition to coaching men’s basketball was pretty easy,” Oceguera said. “I’ve been really lucky to have great young men the past three years. They didn’t respond to me any differently. They treated me like any other coach.”
Oceguera found out she was going to serve as the acting head coach the day before the game against Pacific Union College. With some other coaches and players out due to COVID protocols, the only way the Bobcats could play the game is if she stepped up to coach.
She said there were nerves, but she was well prepared.
“The only difference was I was on the front line,” she said. “I was the front voice of the team. I know how coach Pham organizes his team. We go over the game plans together. I was his starting point guard for three years. I know how his mind works.”
Special Opportunity
Oceguera had the support of her players.
“I think it’s an amazing accomplishment,” Phipps said. “It could open the doors for other little girls or young women who can see what they can accomplish. It’s not just a man’s thing.”
Oceguera says she hopes to make a career of coaching basketball with one days coaching in college or at the professional level.
“Basketball is my passion,” she said. “It’s something I played since I was a little girl. I watch it every day. I love it. I love the competition. It’s the best sport in the world. Hopefully little girls and boys will learn there is no such thing as a man’s job. With hard work, dedication and resilience, if you have those three things you can do whatever you want in the world.”
This story was originally published February 12, 2022 at 11:23 AM.
