Coach's Corner: Q & A with Head Women's Basketball Coach Breesia Northern
Published on Feb 24 2026
Q: Where are you from, and where did you go to high school?
Breesia: I was born and raised in Fortuna, CA and attended Arcata High School.
Q: Tell us about your college playing career and academic journey.
Breesia: I played college basketball at College of the Redwoods from 2018–2020 and graduated with my AA. I then went on to play at Simpson University in Redding, CA and played two seasons there from 2020–2022. I obtained my bachelor's degree in political science and graduated in 2022. I graduated from Liberty University in 2025 with my Masters in Sports Management with an emphasis in Coaching and Athletic Administration.
Q: What were your goals for the season?
Breesia: Our goals this season were to win a conference championship and go far in the playoffs. We wanted to make a name for ourselves and show that we are here not only to compete but win championships!
Q: What has the community support meant to your team?
Breesia: Because most of our team is made up of local talent, our crowds and the support from the community have been amazing. The games have been packed with fans; they have cheered us on, which has given our team such excitement to go out there and perform to the best of our abilities. We are so grateful to the community, family, friends, and fans of our team. Their support means the world to us.
Q: How would you describe your coaching philosophy?
Breesia: I take more of a positive approach to coaching. I think it is extremely important to have a supportive culture where we lift each other up. This builds trust within the team and instilling confidence in my athletes is so important. I want us to be one family where we can lean on each other and play for one another.
Q: What standards do you set for your athletes?
Breesia: I ask my athletes to work their hardest every day in practice. I want my program to be built off of hard work and dedication, not only to our sport, but to our team. I believe that there is a fine line of being tough and holding my team accountable but doing it in a way that is loving. I want to make sure that we have a culture that is built on respect, hard work, positivity, love, teamwork, and growth not only as athletes but as people.
Q: Who supports you behind the scenes?
Breesia: I have an amazing staff, and we would not be where we are today without all their help and support. They have been great to work with, and they do so much for our program.
Q: Did you always know you wanted to coach?
Breesia: I originally didn’t have coaching on my radar while I was in college; I wanted to become a pilot. But during my senior year of college, my head coach asked me to coach with him after I graduated. I decided that I would give it a year to see if it was something I wanted to pursue. Soon enough, I fell in love with coaching and knew it was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Being able to positively impact the athletes' lives and be someone they can always rely on means so much. I love being able to help them not only on the basketball court but in the classroom and life; it is so much more than just the x’s and o’s. I love that I am able to walk alongside them during these important years of their lives.
Q: Who are the biggest mentors in your journey?
Breesia: I have two mentors who impacted my life in such a way that I can’t thank them enough. Coach Taylor (an assistant coach with me at Simpson University) believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself. He would constantly ask me questions and quiz me about the game which helped prepare me for where I am today. He was incredibly supportive of me becoming a head coach and would always tell me that I would become a head coach one day even though I did not believe him at the time. He saw something in me that I couldn’t see myself, and I am forever grateful that he believed in me and taught me so much about the game and coaching.
Jain Tuey (my former coach when I played at CR) has been so influential in not only my coaching journey but in my life as a whole. She coached me for two years and helped me grow so much as a person. She encouraged me to apply for this job and gave me the confidence to believe in myself. She mentored me last year and really supported me in so many ways. She has become such an important person in my life and always will be. Jain always has time to talk about basketball with me, and it means so much that she takes the time to be there for me when I need anything. I would not be where I am today without the incredible support and mentorship from Coach Taylor and Jain.
Q: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Breesia: I love playing golf, spending summer days at the lake, traveling anywhere and everywhere (I am always ready for a trip!), visiting Disneyland, spending time with family and friends, and watching baseball.
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the community?
Breesia: I just want to thank everyone that has believed in me along the way and the support that I have been given from not only my family and friends but the community as a whole and the administration and staff here at CR. I love this community and it is such an honor being able to coach basketball at College of the Redwoods where I attended and played. Thank you everyone that has supported us along the way. I am going to put my best foot forward each day to create a program that is a place where people want to come play basketball and feel supported and loved and have a great experience. Go Redwoods!