Becca Weissmann named interim head coach — what that means for LMU women's tennis
Short version: LMU moved quickly on Aug. 11, 2026 and tapped Becca Weissmann to steer the women's tennis program for now. It's not a total surprise — she's been in the engine room of the team for years — but it's the kind of change that can nudge a program one way or the other. Here's what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.
The announcement and the set-up
On August 11, 2026, Loyola Marymount announced that Becca Weissmann was appointed as interim head coach of the women's tennis program, effective immediately.
The press release was clear that this is an interim move and framed Weissmann as someone who already knows the program inside-out. The athletic department explicitly highlighted her leadership and relationships as reasons she can guide the team through the transition.
Her track record at LMU — not a rookie move
Weissmann isn't a random stopgap. She joined the Lions' staff in 2021 and has been part of the coaching group that produced solid results: LMU recorded 64 victories during her time on staff, according to the school's announcement.
Maybe the most memorable season in that stretch came in 2022, when LMU went 18-4, qualified for the NCAA Tournament and earned a notable win over UCLA. Weissmann is credited as part of that staff, which gives her some real game-day and postseason experience to lean on.
How she got here — the slow climb up the staff
Weissmann's resume inside the Lion's world is straightforward: she started as an assistant coach, then was elevated in rank. LMU notes she joined in 2021 and was promoted within the staff before the 2025–26 season.
There’s an official mention that she was elevated to associate head coach on Feb. 10, 2026, which the school framed as her fifth season on staff. That continuity — five seasons and counting — is part of why the athletic department leaned on her as the interim choice.
Before LMU, Weissmann had experience working with the Pomona-Pitzer program, a stop noted on her coach bio. She brings both collegiate coaching chops and familiarity with California recruiting pipelines.
Where the program stands right now
Practically speaking, Weissmann steps into this role at a moment when the roster is already partly set. On July 16, 2026, LMU posted a roster update that announced three newcomers for the 2026–27 season: transfers Yelyzaveta Chainykova and Melis Mert, plus freshman Ilana Toro. That was presented as a joint announcement by Agustín Moreno and Weissmann.
So Weissmann knows the incoming pieces and, crucially, has had a hand in communicating those additions. That matters when you need a quick transition; bringing new players into the system is easier if the coach who recruited or evaluated them stays involved.
One small administrative note: LMU’s public staff page still lists Weissmann as Associate Head Coach, which suggests the website hasn't caught up with the Aug. 11 announcement. The team's current staff page and roster listings reflect that lag. Not unusual — athletic departments often update multiple systems on different timelines.
What Weissmann brings to the table
Continuity
First and foremost, she brings continuity. When a program promotes from within, the players don't have to unlearn everything and start over. Weissmann has been coaching LMU players since 2021, so practices, line-up logic, and recruiting contacts won't be ripped up overnight.
Credibility from regional success
Being part of a staff that notched 64 wins and an 18–4 season that included a victory over UCLA gives her credibility in the locker room and on the recruiting trail. Players and prospects notice those kinds of seasons — they matter.
Relationships and leadership
The athletic director explicitly cited Weissmann’s “leadership, relationships, and commitment” as reasons she was chosen. That’s public praise and it signals confidence from the top into the locker room. In practical terms, that means internal support while the program sorts long-term plans.
What this does — and doesn’t — settle
What this hire does settle is who will run day-to-day operations, practices, and early-season prep. Weissmann has the institutional knowledge to make those decisions right away.
What it doesn’t settle is whether she’ll be the permanent head coach. The announcement calls her interim head coach, and the school used that exact language. Interim can mean lots of things: a tryout, a placeholder while a national search happens, or the start of a process that becomes permanent. LMU hasn’t said which path they’ll take.
Also, there’s no public update in the materials provided about Agustín Moreno’s next steps. He had been head coach since 2015, and the recent messaging frames this as a staffing change rather than a retirement celebration or a goodbye tour. The school’s immediate focus is on team continuity and preparing for the upcoming season.
Three practical storylines to follow this season
- How the newcomers assimilate. Chainykova, Mert, and Toro were announced in mid-July; Weissmann was part of that announcement. Their early-season fit will be a fast way to measure Weissmann's immediate impact.
- Lineup stability. Will Weissmann keep the same singles and doubles structure, or shake things up to stamp her own voice? Continuity suggests minimal wholesale changes, but match results will tell the tale.
- Is this a long-term audition? An interim tag often doubles as a trial. Watch how the administration talks about timelines, and how recruits and transfers react — they tend to reveal a lot about perceived permanence.
FAQ — what fans want to know
Q: Who is the official head coach right now?
A: As of the Aug. 11 announcement, Becca Weissmann is LMU’s interim head coach. The school released that update on its athletics site.
Q: Was Weissmann promoted from within?
A: Yes. She joined LMU in 2021 as an assistant, was elevated to associate head coach, and now steps into the interim head coach role. The school had reported her promotion to associate head coach in February 2026 as part of her fifth season on staff.
Q: Is this a permanent hiring or temporary?
A: The announcement labels her as interim head coach. LMU hasn’t publicly committed to making it permanent or begun a public search for a long-term hire in the materials released with the appointment.
Q: What happened to the previous head coach?
A: The public materials announcing Weissmann’s interim title don’t provide detailed reasons or next steps for Agustín Moreno, who had been the program’s head coach since 2015.
Q: Who are the new players joining the team?
A: A July 16 roster update named two transfers, Yelyzaveta Chainykova and Melis Mert, plus freshman Ilana Toro as the 2026–27 newcomers.
Q: Where can I find the official roster and staff listings?
A: LMU maintains a staff page and roster on the athletics site; note that as of the announcement the staff page still listed Weissmann as Associate Head Coach, so expect updates there soon.
How to read this move in context
Promoting an assistant to interim head coach is a classic way for athletic departments to preserve continuity. If you like the program’s trajectory — think back to that 18–4 season and the NCAA trip — an internal appointment like this reduces disruption.
On the flip side, interim hires can also be a holding pattern. If the school decides it wants a different long-term direction, a national search could follow and Weissmann might be in the running — or not. For now, the Lions have someone who knows the roster, knows the recruits, and can keep the ship steady.
Where this could go next
- Short-term: Expect Weissmann to manage preseason practices, finalize lineups, and integrate the three newcomers announced in July.
- Medium-term: The administration will likely evaluate early-season performance, player feedback, and recruiting momentum before deciding whether to remove the interim tag.
- Long-term: If Weissmann threads continuity with positive results, an internal promotion could become permanent — but LMU hasn’t signaled a firm timeline for that decision.
One practical tip for fans: watch the school’s official channels for staff-page updates and any statements from the athletic department. The AD’s initial public comments highlighted Weissmann’s leadership and relationships, which suggests institutional support while the program navigates its next moves.
Final thought
If you want a takeaway to tuck in your pocket: LMU chose stability and inside knowledge — a coach who’s been here through the program’s recent highs — to guide the team right now. That tells you they’re prioritizing continuity as they move into the new season.
