Columbia Names Toland as New Women's Basketball Head Coach

(Story provided by Columbia Sports Communications)

COLUMBIA, S.C. - Director of Athletics Glen M. Crawford has announced the hiring of Toccara Toland as the next head coach of the women's basketball program at Columbia College.

"Toccara is the perfect addition to our team at Columbia College," Director of Athletics Glen Crawford shared. "Her dedication to her players and the sport of basketball is evidenced through her impressive and dynamic coaching experience. "Coming off a history-making season, our women's team deserves a coach that can continue the winning tradition and I'm confident she'll bring that same leadership and energy to the entire program."

"I'm truly honored and grateful to be named the Head Women's Basketball Coach at Columbia College," said Coach Toland. "I want to sincerely thank President Dr. John Dozier, Dean of Students Dr. Sandra Rouse, Athletic Director Glen Crawford, and the entire search committee for trusting me with this opportunity."

"From the moment I stepped on campus, I felt a sense of purpose and alignment with the mission of this institution," Coach T continued. "I'm excited to pour into these young women and help continue the proud tradition of Columbia College Basketball. Let's get to work — Go Koalas!"

Coach Toland was previously the head coach at Clinton College in Rock Hill, SC, an NCCAA school for one season in 2024-25. She helped lead the Bears to a 22-6 record (20-3 in regular season), a region championship and a NCCAA National Championship tournament berth as the #3 seed. She was the South Region Regular Season and Tournament Champions and was named Region Coach of the Year in 2025. She was in charge of starting the JV team at Clinton as well and brought in 34 student athletes for the varsity and JV squads at Clinton. Her team finished the season with a number 8 ranking in the nation in the NCCAA.

Prior to coaching at Clinton, Toland was the assistant coach at Div. I Long Island University (NY) during the 2023-24 season.

Before heading to LIU, Toland was the head coach at Allen University in Columbia for three seasons from 2021-2023. During her time at Allen, she led her team to 26 wins over three seasons including a shortened 2021 Covid-season. She helped Allen record their first winning record in 3 years in 2022-23 when they went 14-13 and made it to the SIAC conference quarterfinals.

Before going to Allen, Toland was at Piedmont International (now Carolina University) in Winston-Salem, NC for three years, where she served as the Head Women's Basketball coach from 2018-2021, compiling a 36-21 record. During Toland's three-year stint, the Bruins advanced to the NCCAA DI South Regional Championship twice and was ranked as high as #6 in the nation. She also recruited and produced several Academic-Scholars, six All-Region student-athletes and the first NCCAA student-athlete of the week for the university since 2016. 

Toland completed an internship at Wake Forest University as an Operations Intern under Coach Kendra Samuels-Eaton in 2010. She is also currently pursuing her EdD at East Tennessee State University in Global Leadership and recently received her certification in Mental Health Performance.

Before heading to the college ranks, Toland was the Head Varsity Girls Basketball Coach at Lexington HS (NC) from 2014-2018. Prior to that she was the Winston-Salem Lady Warcats Associate Head Coach and Director of Operations from 2012-2018 as well. In 2010, Toland founded the Lady Warcats in the Women's Blue Chip Basketball League and played for the team for two years before becoming the Associate Head Coach/Director of Operations. She went 27-20 with 2 National Playoff appearances in the WBCBL. Coach Toland then worked her way up the ranks and was named the Carolinas Regional Director from 2014 until 2016.

During her playing days, Toland received a host of awards such as being named a WBCA Division III All-American, the 2005 NCAA Div. III National Assist Leader, USA South Player of the Year, and Virginia All-State First Team. In 2014, Toland was named to the USA South 50th Anniversary Women's Basketball Team and was most recently named to the Ferrum College (Va.) Hall of Fame in 2021. 

Toland, a graduate of Ferrum College, VA holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She has also earned a M.A.S in Sports Management with a concentration in Athletic Administration from Southern New Hampshire University.

Coach Toland is originally from North, SC and now resides in Columbia, SC with her daughter Diamond and son William, the IV.