Malinda Larson is entering her sixth season as a member of Coach Nixon's staff. Larson's coaching duties include working with post players at Utah Valley, and has even started her own camp, the Malinda Larson Post Camp, that takes place each summer.
Sandwiched between her playing career and coaching career she served an LDS Church mission in Hong Kong. After returning she was the head coach at Voyager Middle School in Seattle, Washington for one season before joining the Utah Valley staff.
Larson has a storied high school career in the state of Utah. She helped Bingham to state titles in 1994 and 1995, and was named the Utah State 5A MVP after leading the Miners to an undefeated season '95 under coach Rand Rasumussen.
She averaged 16 points and 13 rebounds per game during her high school career, earning All-Region and All-State honors. She was also named Utah WBCA Player of the Year and earned Gatorade Circle of Champions accolades.
After finishing her prep career at Bingham, Larson played for four years at the University of Washington and was a starter for three seasons. She was named her team's Most Inspirational Player her sophomore, junior and senior seasons, and was named the Community Service Player of the Year in 1999.
During her junior year, Washington tied for the Pac-10 title and eventually made it to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to eventual national champion Purdue. She is currently sixth in block shots in Washington women's basketball history.
Larson was born in Kanab, Utah, but grew up in Provo. She played as a freshman at Provo High before moving to South Jordan for her last three years of prep ball. She earned a bachelor's degree in communications at Washington. Larson obtained a Master's Degree in Marriage, Family and Human Development from Utah State University in 2006.
Larson and her husband Thad were married September 9, 2006. Her maiden name is Lynch.
