Raina Harmon was named the third head coach in FGCU women's basketball history in April of 2025, bringing with her a proven track record of developing elite talent and building winning programs.
In her first season leading the Eagles, Harmon guided FGCU to a 16-16 overall record and an 11-7 mark in the ASUN, earning a WNIT appearance. She wasted no time establishing the program's identity, scheduling the second-toughest nonconference strength of schedule in the country, highlighted by a memorable upset over Stanford in Las Vegas. The Eagles broke single-game program records in points (120), field goals made (49), and assists (34), and posted the largest margin of victory in an ASUN Tournament game at 66 points. FGCU drew a program-record 3,527 fans for the home game against South Carolina. Defensively, the Eagles ranked fourth in the ASUN and 41st nationally in field goal percentage defense, third in the ASUN and 48th nationally in scoring defense, and second in the ASUN and 10th nationally in three-point percentage defense. Individually, Sinai Douglas earned All-ASUN Third Team honors and ranked fourth in the ASUN in both assists per game and assist-to-turnover ratio, while Nay Staton ranked third in the ASUN in free throw percentage and recorded her 1,000th career rebound. Karina Gordon and Jordan Campbell were both named to the ASUN All-Academic Team.
Prior to FGCU, Harmon spent eight seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Iowa, working primarily with perimeter players. During her tenure, the Hawkeyes compiled a 208-63 record with five Big Ten conference titles, four Big Ten Tournament Championships (2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), and five NCAA Tournament appearances. Iowa made back-to-back National Championship appearances under Harmon's watch, becoming the first Big Ten program to compete for consecutive national titles in conference history. Throughout her time in Iowa City, Harmon helped develop seven players who went on to play in the WNBA, most notably Caitlin Clark, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft and 2024 Rookie of the Year. Harmon was also one of 15 leaders to participate in the Big Ten Conference's LGBTQ+ Working Group.
Before Iowa, Harmon spent five seasons (2012-17) as an assistant coach at Central Michigan, where her primary responsibilities included perimeter player development, academics, and scouting. In her five years with the Chippewas, CMU compiled a 99-61 overall record, capturing the 2017 MAC Regular Season Championship, the 2013 MAC Championship, three MAC West Division titles (2014, 2016, 2017), an NCAA Tournament berth in 2013, and three WNIT appearances.
Harmon served as the Director of Women's Basketball Operations at Michigan from 2010-12, assisting the coaching staff with all administrative aspects of the program. Before that, she spent a season as an assistant varsity girls' basketball coach at Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School in Detroit.
A Detroit native, Harmon played at Central Michigan from 2001-04, earning the Dee Pommerenk Sportsmanship Award in 2003 and serving as president of the student-athlete advisory committee in 2003-04.
Harmon earned her bachelor's degree in sports studies from Central Michigan in 2004 and her master's degree in sports administration from Wayne State in 2009. She and her spouse, Charita Martin, have a son, Ja'Quez.
Career Coaching Record
| Season |
School |
W |
L |
W% |
Con. W |
Con. L |
W% |
Notables |
| 2025-26 |
Florida Gulf Coast |
16 |
16 |
0.500 |
11 |
7 |
0.611 |
WNIT Second Round |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Career |
Florida Gulf Coast |
16 |
16 |
0.500 |
11 |
7 |
0.611 |
|
Quotes about Raina Harmon
"Florida Gulf Coast is getting the real deal in Raina Harmon," said Iowa women's basketball head coach Jan Jensen. "Authentic, passionate and smart. She's a player's coach. Her relationships begin in the recruiting process and always deepen over time as she works to develop her players in every realm. Florida Gulf Coast is getting a wonderful person and coach to lead their program."
"Florida Gulf Coast is getting a winner," added former Iowa head coach Lisa Bluder. "Raina did a terrific job at Iowa, identifying talent, developing talent, and on floor coaching. She is the whole package and will do a tremendous job as head coach of the Eagles."
"Coach Raina has the unique ability to be able to recognize elite talent, but also recognize unbelievable character," said Caitlin Clark. "She will continue to develop young women into great players — but also great leaders. I have zero doubt she will be successful and FGCU made a PHENOMENAL hire."
"It's a great day for FGCU to welcome Raina Harmon to the Nest as the next leader of our women's basketball program," said FGCU Director of Athletics Colin Hargis. "Harmon's energy, passion and commitment to student-athletes combined with her coaching experience will champion the continued growth and success for the FGCU women's basketball program."
