Idaho State University has announced the hiring of Cassandra Renno as associate head coach for the Bengals women's basketball program. Renno brings more than a decade of collegiate coaching experience at the NCAA Division I, Division II, and NAIA levels, along with a strong reputation for recruiting, player development, culture building, and academic success.
"This is another one of those full circle moments," said Sobolewski. "Cassandra played for us at UC Riverside over 20 years ago when I was an assistant there. Knowing her for over 20 years and following her coaching career, the timing has worked out perfect for her to join our staff. Cassandra brings a wealth of experience from the high school, Division II, and Division I levels. I'm excited she will be joining us!"
Renno joins Idaho State after serving as the head coach at California State University, San Bernardino since 2019. During her tenure, she guided the Coyotes through one of the most challenging periods in college athletics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, while steadily rebuilding the program and establishing a competitive culture within the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA). Her leadership produced consistent program growth, highlighted by a .500 overall record during the 2022-23 season and continued development of student-athletes both on and off the court.
Prior to becoming a head coach, Renno spent two seasons as the assistant coach at California State University, Fullerton, where the Titans posted their best Big West Conference record in a decade during the 2018-19 season. She also served as an assistant coach at California State University, Los Angeles from 2015-17, helping lead the Golden Eagles to their first winning season in four years.
Known for her ability to recruit and mentor student-athletes, Renno has coordinated recruiting operations throughout her career while also overseeing academics, community engagement initiatives, camps and clinics, and team logistics. Her commitment to creating a strong and supportive team culture has been a hallmark of every program she has been part of.
Before her time in the CCAA, Renno served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of La Verne during the 2013-14 season. She also founded the OC Elite Southwest AAU Girls Basketball Club in Florida in 2012, where she coached youth and high school athletes while helping develop future collegiate players.
A former standout point guard at the University of California, Riverside, Renno remains one of the top players in program history. She graduated as the Highlanders' all-time leader in assists and three-pointers while earning First Team All-Big West honors in 2003 and 2004, All-Freshman Team honors in 2002, and All-Big West honorable mention recognition in 2005. During her playing career at UC Riverside, current Idaho State head coach Seton Sobolewski served as an assistant coach for the Highlanders, creating a longstanding connection that now reunites the two on the Bengals coaching staff.
Her coaching experience also includes stops at Missouri Valley College, La Sierra University, Hanau High School in Germany, and high schools in Texas and Florida. She earned her bachelor's degree in liberal studies with a major in English and a minor in education from UC Riverside and later completed a master's degree in education administration from Missouri Valley College.
Renno is an active member of several professional organizations, including the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, WeCOACH, and WISELA.
She and her husband, Marc Renno, have two children, daughter Ella Attison Renno and son Luka Justin Renno.
