Tom Lochner joined Rider as an assistant coach in June of 2026.
Previous to Rider, Lochner served as an assistant coach for the Lafayette women’s basketball team from 2017 to 2025 while helping develop Abby Antognoli into the Leopard’s 21st 1,000-point scorer in their program’s history. Previous to Lafayette, Lochner spent six seasons as an assistant coach at The University of Delaware, helping their women’s team to a 130-63 record over his six years in Newark.
While at Delaware, Lochner was apart of the Blue Hens coaching staff during the 2012-13 season where the team went 32-4 while remaining perfect in that years Coastal Athletic Association season. Delaware was later crowned CAA Tournament Champions that season while beating West Virginia and North Carolina in that year’s tournament first and second rounds respectively, appearing in the programs first ever Sweet 16 during the 2013 tournament. During his time at Delaware, Lochner coached the 2013 WNBA Rookie of the Year, Elena Delle Donne.
Prior to Delaware, Lochner served on the staff of the La Salle women’s basketball team from 1987 to 2010 while racking up two appearances in the NCAA Tournament, one appearance in the WNIT, and 296 wins. During his final six year in Philadelphia from 2004 to 2010, Lochner served as the head coach for the Explorers, recording 71 career wins at the helm while being named the Big 5 Coach of the Year during the 2006-07 campaign.
Lochner got his first coaching job in 1981, becoming the JV head girl’s basketball coach at his alma mater, Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons High School in Schenectady, NY in 1981. Promoted to the head coach of the varsity team in 1983, Lochner recorded a record of 88-13 from 1983 to 1987, leading the team to the 1986 New York State Championship while being named the New York State Section II Coach of the Year in 1985 and 1986. Lochner returned to coaching high school after La Salle for a period, taking over as an assistant coach at William Penn Charter School in Philadelphia for the 2010-11 season.
A 1989 graduate of Temple University, Lochner earned his bachelor's degree in Physical Education and Athletic Administration while later graduating with a master’s degree in Sports Management from Temple in 1997. Lochner graduated with a second master’s degree in Elementary and Special Education from La Salle in 2006.
“Tom brings an incredible wealth of experience and knowledge to our staff after spending decades coaching and impacting the game at a high level. He is one of the most respected coaches in women’s basketball, and his ability to build relationships, develop players, and mentor those around him is second to none.” Hartzell said. “Beyond everything he has accomplished in the profession, Tom is an outstanding person with tremendous character, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside him and learn from him every day. His presence will make our entire program better.”
