WASHINGTON - Georgetown University Head Women's Basketball Coach Darnell Haney has announced the hiring of Niki Washington as an assistant coach on the women's basketball staff. Washington has more than 25 years of intercollegiate coaching experience and is known for her analytical approach to the game.
 
Niki Washington
Assistant Coach
Niki Washington is entering her 26th year of coaching and comes to the Hilltop after four seasons as the associate head coach & director of analytics at George Mason University.
 
Washington played a pivotal role in the program's historic transformation over the past few seasons. Known for her preparation, analytical mindset and strategic approach, Washington helped lead the Patriots to their first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship and inaugural NCAA Tournament appearance. She was also instrumental in the development of A-10 Rookie of the Year and 2025 A-10 Championship Most Outstanding Player Zahirah 'Za' Walton.
 
Prior to GMU, Washington served as the associate head coach at Bethune-Cookman, and was a part of four championship seasons, including its first-ever NCAA Tournament berth in 2019. Her vast resume includes stints at Florida A&M, Illinois State and Seminole State, as well as a six-year tenure as the head coach of Lynn University from 2009-15.
 
At Lynn, Washington led the program to its first Sunshine State Conference Tournament title (2010) and regular season championship (2013), both culminating in NCAA Tournament appearances. She became the program's all-time leader in overall and league victories and developed Kira Harvey into the most decorated women's basketball player in program history. She has mentored numerous All-Americans across the junior college, Division II and Division I levels.
 
As a player, Washington was named the Gatorade Florida High School Player of the Year in 1993 and earned All-America honors. She began her collegiate career at the University of Houston and ended her career under Hall of Fame Coach Cindy Scott at Southern Illinois University. Washington went on to play professionally in Denmark, winning the Danish Cup & Club MVP before embarking on her coaching career.
 
Washington was inducted into the inaugural Sanford Seminole High School Hall of Fame in 2019 and finished her Master of Science in communication & media from Lynn in 2021.
 
Washington on Coming to Georgetown
"Last year I was at a crossroads in my coaching career and I wasn't sure I'd return. Coach Haney has sparked my passion and hunger to get back in the game. As a fellow Florida native, I have watched his career and quietly cheered him on at every stop. His passion, grit and love of the game are infectious and I believe in him wholeheartedly. He has a thirst for knowledge and works relentlessly to advance his programs at every place he's been. He has a vision that I want to be a part of and his resume speaks for itself. He's been an underdog at every level and he just continues to defy the odds and lift his players and staff to new heights. I couldn't be more thankful and eager to help him in his quest to be at the top. Georgetown deserves his type of leadership to match the prestige of this great university!"
 
Haney on Washington
"I have watched Coach Washington from afar for years and loved her approach to the job. Her initiative and attention to detail were what stood out the most when considering her for this position. I've always known she was an elite-level coach and strategist and, as I did my research, I realized how much of an impact she's had on championship programs, especially on the offensive end of the floor. That impact is something I can't wait for her to make here in Hoya country. I am extremely excited about working with Coach Washington to help continue to build an elite program here on the Hilltop, she is going to help us in a variety of ways."