Polly Thomason became just the second head coach in UT Dallas women’s basketball history in 2005 and has developed a program that has become both annual conference and regional contender.
In her 17 seasons with the Comets, Thomason boasts a 330-126 (.724) overall record along with a 230-82 (.737) mark against American Southwest Conference opponents. She has led UTD 16 straight ASC Tournament appearances, winning four conference crowns. Thomason’s squad has earned six spots into the NCAA Division III National Tournament, advancing to the “Sweet 16” in 2015. UTD hosted the opening rounds of the national tournament in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2019.
A six-time ASC East Division Coach of the Year (2008, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020), Thomason was honored as the WBCA West Region Coach of the Year after leading the Comets to their second-ever 25-win season in 2016-17. After posting a 23-6 record in 2019-20, Thomason had guided UTD to 10 20-win campaigns over the past 14 seasons. The Comets posted a 14-3 record during the 2020-21 campaign, with limited play due to COVID-19.
Thomason has mentored four All-Americans, nine All-Region selections and 38 All-ASC players during her 17 seasons as head coach for the Comets. She has coached six ASC East Players of the Year and four ASC East Defensive Players of the Year.
- Career Record (2005-22, 17 seasons) --- 330-126 (230-82 ASC)
- ASC Championships: 4 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
- ASC Division Championships: 5 (2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
- ASC Tournament Appearances: 16 (2007-22)
- NCAA D-III Tournament Appearances: 6 (2013, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
In addition to her success on the court, Thomason has been equally active and successful in the professional realm. In 2018, she was appointed to the WBCA Board of Directors, serving as the board’s NCAA D-III Legislative Liaison. Thomason has been involved with both the WBCA's All-American Team Selection Committee and Coach of the Year Selection Committee and has served on the NCAA Championships South Region Advisory Committee. In 2008, Thomason received the Judy Sweet Award from the NCAA Women's Coaches Academy and attended the 2015 Columbia University/WBCA Center for Coaching Excellence.
An Arlington native who played on three ASC championship teams at Austin College, Thomason came to UTD after serving three years as an assistant coach at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio (2002-2004); and Chatham College in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2004-2005). In addition, she served one year as an assistant coach at her alma mater Austin College (1999-2000) before leaving to earn her master’s degree at the University of Tennessee, where she also taught several physical education activity classes.
She earned bachelor’s degree in exercise science and history from Austin College in 1999, and her master’s degree in sports administration from the University of Tennessee in 2002
Thomason was a three-year letter-winner at Arlington Martin HS, where she was named all-district on a playoff team her senior season. She accepted a basketball scholarship to Phillips University, an NAIA school in Enid, Oklahoma, before transferring to Austin College in 1996. The Lady Kangaroos won three-straight ASC titles in 1997, 1998 and 1999 while Thomason was a member of the team, and advanced all three years to the national tournament. The team was ranked as high as No. 21 nationally and was twice recognized as a top 25 program nationally in academic achievement.
Thomason was also a standout track athlete in high school and college. She qualified for regional competition three times in discuss in high school and was the ASC shot put champion in 1997.
