Kristen Rasmussen Tarr took the helm of the Simmons program in 2011 is entering her fifth year as Head Basketball Coach for the Sharks. Coach Rasmussen joined the Sharks after an accomplished eleven-year career in the WNBA, FIBA and WNBL professional leagues.

Under Rasmussen Tarr's guidance last season, the Sharks improved iheir win total from the previous season and posted a higher average in nearly every statistical category. All but one returner on the roster enjoyed a career year in scoring per game, while seven of the nine returners racked up more rebounds per game than in any season in their respective careers. 

During her pro career, Rasmussen Tarr played for eight teams, including the Connecticut Sun.  She also starred for the Phoenix Mercury, where she led the team in field goal percentage, rebounding and blocks. 

Rasmussen Tarr was previously an Assistant Coach for NCAA Division II Western State Colorado University, where she honed her coaching skills at the collegiate level.

Rasmussen Tarr graduated from Michigan State University in 2000 with a bachelor of science in kinesiology. While at MSU, Rasmussen Tarr was a four-year starter and three-year captain for the Spartans, and helped lead her team to several NCAA and NIT Championship appearances. She still ranks second on the program's career blocked shot list and is the Spartans' eighth-leading all-time scorer with 1,035 points. She held the record for blocked shots (194) for 10 years until it was broken in 2010. As a senior, Rasmussen Tarr was named First Team All-Big Ten conference after leading the league in rebounding (9.8 pg.), blocked shots (1.84 pg.) and double-doubles (16). To cap the year, she was voted team Most Valuable Player, and was nominated for the NCAA Outstanding Sportsperson of the Year award. She has since served as a player and development coach for the Spartans.

Rasmussen Tarr was inducted to the Lansing, MI Hall of Fame in 2009. She was the first player from Michigan State University to play in the WNBA after being drafted in 2000.