Central Michigan University Athletics
Women’s Basketball’s El-Husseini Elevated to Defensive Coordinator
10/1/2026 10:32:00 AM | Women's Basketball
The Dearborn, Mich.-native earns promotion ahead of second season with the program
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. — Rana El-Husseini of Central Michigan Women's Basketball has been promoted to Assistant Coach/Defensive Coordinator ahead of the 2026-27 season, Head Coach Kristin Haynie announced Thursday.
"Rana is very deserving of this promotion," Haynie said. "Her passion and knowledge on the defensive end make her a natural fit for this role, and I'm excited for the growth of our defense this season.
In El-Husseini's first season on the bench, the Chippewas collected the program's first victory over a power-conference opponent since 2018 (Nov. 30, 2025 vs. Purdue), earned the program's fifth MAC Player of the Year and the fourth-seed in a second consecutive MAC tournament bid.
"She brings incredible energy, intensity and passion every day, while also having a great ability to connect with and develop our players. She has been a great addition to our staff, and I'm excited to see her continue to thrive in this role."
A first-generation Arab American, El-Husseini competed for Lebanon in the 2023 West-Asia Cup and in the pre-qualification tournament in Rwanda for the 2024 FIBA World Cup. She reprised her playing career in the summer of 2026 as she joined Taadod Sports Club ahead of the professional Lebanese Basketball Federation playoffs.
El-Husseini graduated from Buffalo with a master's in public health, was an All-MAC Tournament Team selection and became the third player in program history to record a triple-double.
At NCAA II Edinboro Prior to her fifth year, she was a WBCA All-America honorable mention in her junior season with two All-PSAC West First Team nods and the PSAC West Freshman of the Year to her credit and finished her bachelor's in exercise science.
Central Michigan Women's Basketball posted a second consecutive multi-win improvement in 2025-26 for the first time since 2005-06 in the third season under Coach Haynie. The Chippewas tallied an 18-12 record overall, 12-6 in the Mid-American Conference—improvements of four and three wins, respectively.
CMU retained the Michigan MAC Trophy in sweeping in-state rivals Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan and again was a national frontrunner in rebounding—seventh in NCAA I in rebounding margin (10.4) on the season.
"Rana is very deserving of this promotion," Haynie said. "Her passion and knowledge on the defensive end make her a natural fit for this role, and I'm excited for the growth of our defense this season.
In El-Husseini's first season on the bench, the Chippewas collected the program's first victory over a power-conference opponent since 2018 (Nov. 30, 2025 vs. Purdue), earned the program's fifth MAC Player of the Year and the fourth-seed in a second consecutive MAC tournament bid.
"She brings incredible energy, intensity and passion every day, while also having a great ability to connect with and develop our players. She has been a great addition to our staff, and I'm excited to see her continue to thrive in this role."
A first-generation Arab American, El-Husseini competed for Lebanon in the 2023 West-Asia Cup and in the pre-qualification tournament in Rwanda for the 2024 FIBA World Cup. She reprised her playing career in the summer of 2026 as she joined Taadod Sports Club ahead of the professional Lebanese Basketball Federation playoffs.
El-Husseini graduated from Buffalo with a master's in public health, was an All-MAC Tournament Team selection and became the third player in program history to record a triple-double.
At NCAA II Edinboro Prior to her fifth year, she was a WBCA All-America honorable mention in her junior season with two All-PSAC West First Team nods and the PSAC West Freshman of the Year to her credit and finished her bachelor's in exercise science.
Central Michigan Women's Basketball posted a second consecutive multi-win improvement in 2025-26 for the first time since 2005-06 in the third season under Coach Haynie. The Chippewas tallied an 18-12 record overall, 12-6 in the Mid-American Conference—improvements of four and three wins, respectively.
CMU retained the Michigan MAC Trophy in sweeping in-state rivals Western Michigan and Eastern Michigan and again was a national frontrunner in rebounding—seventh in NCAA I in rebounding margin (10.4) on the season.
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