Tom Lochner enters his ninth season as Assistant Coach.
Lafayette improved to six Patriot League wins in the 2024-25 campaign and it won its first home playoff game since the 2021-22 season. Lochner has been head coach Kia Damon-Olson’s primary assistant since his hiring in 2017. Over that time, he saw to the development of the team’s 21st 1,000-point scorer, Abby Antognoli. The Bay Head, N.J. native was selected to the All-Patriot League Third Team and All-Patriot League Academic Team three times over her career on College Hill. Lochner also helped develop current sophomore Talia Zurinskas to eventually be named to the All-Patriot League Rookie Team.
Lochner was Lafayette coach Kia Damon's first hire when she took the head coaching job at Lafayette, bringing with him more than 30 years of experience of the sidelines of successful collegiate and high school programs.
"I am very excited to have Tom on staff. Our players are going to thrive under his tutelage," Damon said. "I have known him for well over 15 years and I have always been impressed with his demeanor, knowledge of the game and work ethic. We share a similar philosophy on the value of education through sport and our role in the process. Tom has played an integral role in building successful programs throughout his career and I am very confident he will do the same here at Lafayette."
Lochner spent six seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Delaware, where he helped the program average 21 wins per season en route to a 130-63 record.
His assistant coaching tenure under Tina Martin ended with her retirement in April. It was highlighted by the 2012-13 season during which the Blue Hens finished with a 32-4 record, and an undefeated mark in conference play. Delaware also captured a CAA Tournament title for its second straight season and made the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Sweet 16. That team was led by two-time NCAA All-American and 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Elena Delle Donne.
Prior to Delaware, Lochner spent 23 seasons (1987-2010) on the women's basketball staff at La Salle, including the final six (2004-10) as the Explorers' head coach. During his time in Philadelphia, the Explorers racked up 296 overall wins to go along with two NCAA Tournament appearances and one WNIT berth.
As head coach, he earned 2006-07 Big 5 Coach of the Year honors after leading La Salle to 19 wins. He finished his head coaching career with a 71-102 record.
Lochner started his career in 1981 as the JV head girls' basketball coach at Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, N.Y. before taking over as varsity head coach in 1983. From 1983-87 where he compiled an 88-13 record. He led his alma mater to a 1986 New York State Championship and was acknowledged as New York State Section II Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1986.
In 2010-11, Lochner served as an assistant coach at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia after his lengthy La Salle tenure ended.
A 1989 graduate of Temple University, Lochner earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education/Athletic Administration in 1989 and later secured his master's degree in Sports Management in 1997 from Temple. During his time at La Salle, he completed a second master's degree, this in Elementary/Special Education in 2006.
Lochner resides in Willow Grove, Pa. with his wife Beth. Their son, Curtis Lochner, is Delaware MBB alumni, while daughter, Samantha, is a St. Peter's University WBB alumni.
Updated on 5/27/25
