A coach’s first season is a blueprint for the empire they hope to build. For Dianna Ros, stepping up as U of T’s new bench boss is more than just coaching — it’s about crafting a new team identity.
A team’s identity mirrors the temperament and philosophy of its head coach. With Ros at the helm, U of T’s women’s basketball program is undergoing a transformation — one deeply rooted in resilience and a culture of growth. The Varsity sat down with Ros as she explained that her role isn’t just to be a coach, but to redefine what leadership looks like from the bench.
Finding clarity in leadership
As a basketball player at McGill University, Ros played with a fire that couldn’t be taught — a relentless hunger that inspired her teammates. More than a scorer, she was the floor general, setting the tone and making big plays.
Ros’s sparkling record throughout her five-year career consisted of winning réseau du sport étudiant du Québec (RSEQ) Rookie of the Year, U SPORTS All-Rookie selection, multiple all-star nods, and five straight conference titles.
Success, however, came at a price. Injuries mounted, pushing her body to its limits. In her final year, she played through a partial tibia fracture in the national finals. When the adrenaline wore off, the damage was worse than expected.
“It was really tough… my career just ended. I’m in a boot. I’m trying to find a pro contract — it wasn’t going well,” said Ros. Basketball had always been her identity, her escape, her validation. Now, sidelined indefinitely, she confronted a terrifying question: who was she without the game?
Basketball was her proving ground. She played to silence doubts — both her own and those of others. Her injury led her to confront reality all too soon: her playing days were over. The rhythm of the game, the structure of practices, and the camaraderie disappeared overnight.
“I wasn’t really happy,” she admitted. “My best friend told me, ‘You’re not fun to be around. You need to go.’ ” An impromptu trip to Asia and distance from basketball gave her much-needed clarity. The sport she loved remained an essential part of her life. When the Québec Basketball Federation called, she couldn’t ignore it. Ros led the U17 Québec provincial girls team to the 2023 national championship.
The transition from player to coach took time. It wasn’t the dream she had chased, but it was a doorway back into the sport that had shaped her. But as she worked with young athletes, something clicked. The fire she had as a player reignited — not for competition, but for mentorship.
Ros’s approach to coaching is a product of her playing career — she’s direct, demanding, but also deeply invested in her players. “You get the best out of them… when they know that you care,” she said. This isn’t about empty platitudes; her leadership is built on authenticity. She values transparency over sugarcoating, believing that a player who knows exactly where they stand is a player who can grow.
“If something doesn’t fit with [our] culture… it’s out the window,” she said. Culture is the backbone of her system — one where players don’t just perform but evolve, both as athletes and as people.
Building a culture of relentless growth
The season presented numerous challenges for the Varsity Blues, particularly in its early stages. The team faced a series of losses, including a 44–82 defeat against St. Francis Xavier University and a 34–85 loss to the University of British Columbia. Despite these setbacks, Coach Ros remained committed to her developmental approach, viewing each game as a growth opportunity.
For her, player development isn’t about short-term gains — it’s about instilling a mindset that serves her players beyond the court. “If I just teach them basketball, I would have failed them.”
Previous coaches, while effective in their own right, often adhered to conventional, structured models where strategy was largely dictated by a rigid understanding of roles and systems. This traditional coaching mindset placed a premium on conformity within the tactical framework, emphasizing structure over individuality.
In contrast, Coach Ros’s leadership is defined by a nuanced and player-centric approach that values adaptability. She believes that true success emerges from a balance between structure and individual agency, where players are given the freedom to assert themselves within a unified system.
“I make mistakes all the time, and I tell them… I apologize often… [That] sets the stage for them to own up to their mistakes,” she said. By emphasizing autonomy, she encouraged the development of a more versatile team — one that operates as a cohesive unit, yet thrives on the unique strengths of each player.
“I want our program to be recognized as one of the hardest-working programs… Nothing is given, you gotta earn it,” she emphasized. “Even if you lose, your work ethic [can’t] change.”
She displayed this mentality in their November 3, 2024 game against Algoma University, where the Varsity Blues secured their first victory with an 85–58 win. The game marked a turning point, showcasing the team’s improved competitive edge as they secured the win through team play and relentless energy.
Her philosophy also goes beyond hard-nosed coaching — she understands that confidence is built over time. She makes the team understand that their work will translate, that their growth will show that every small battle won in practice builds toward something bigger.
That mindset was put to test in the Varsity Blues’ February 8 game against Lakehead University, where the Blues clinched a narrow 61–60 victory, showcasing their developing resilience and determination.
Building a culture of support
Ros is quick to credit her coaching staff for shaping her experience. Her coaching staff — Kalina Alexander-Renaud, lead assistant coach; Clodagh Scannell, assistant coach; Ellen Ougrinov, graduate assistant; and Mathushan Srikannathasan, skills development coach and assistant coach — each bring a unique set of skills, forming the backbone of her leadership.
Ros joked, “If Kali wasn’t here, I’d be confused like a lost puppy for sure,” and referred to Scannel as “the glue that holds everyone together.”
Ros appreciated the emotional support Ougrinov provides for the team, noting that it comes from Ougrinov once having played alongside the team. With Srikannathasan, she said, “The more we talk, the more we realize how close we are in terms of the way we think [about] basketball.” It’s clear that Ros’s revolution extends to the coaching staff.
Beyond the Xs and Os
Long-term, there’s no hesitation in Coach Ros’ vision: “I want us to be a playoff team every single year… It’s a competitive sport at the end of the day. This is the highest level of [collegiate] basketball.” But success, for her, isn’t just about banners. It’s about legacy.
“My biggest measure of success is knowing that my players walk out of here [with a] 100 per cent graduation rate and have had a really good experience. I can call them up in 10 years, see where [they’re at] in life,” she said.
“We’re gonna continue building until we’re consistently a contender in the OUA and nationally. That’ll always be the picture.”
As Ros closes out her first season as bench boss, the promise of what’s to come is unmistakable — her leadership has set the stage for a team destined to rise in the seasons ahead. Stay tuned for round two, Blues.
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