Cristina Centeno joined the Hawks on July 7, 2025, following a two-year stint at Bryant.
At Bryant, Centeno worked closely with the guards. In her first season, she helped Mia Mancini earn America East Rookie of the Year and Third Team All-Conference honors. After making an immediate impact, Centeno was promoted to associate head coach in her second year. Most recently, she played a key role in leading Bryant to its first-ever appearance in the America East Semifinals and a historic berth in the WNIT, where the Bulldogs hosted Army.
Before her time at Bryant, Centeno served as an assistant coach at Army from 2021 to 2023, helping guide the Black Knights to back-to-back Patriot League Tournament appearances. In 2023, she helped the team reach the Patriot League Semifinals for the first time since the 2017–18 season. That same year, she mentored Reese Ericson, who was named Patriot League Rookie of the Year.
Prior to Army, Centeno spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Appalachian State, where she helped lead the Mountaineers to four Sun Belt Tournament appearances and two semifinal runs.
She began her coaching career at Le Moyne College in 2013, helping the Dolphins to four NE-10 Tournament appearances.
"I am extremely grateful to become part of the Hawk family! As a New Jersey native, it is a privilege to wear Monmouth across my chest every day," Centeno said. "Coach Wetmore is an incredible person who I have known for a long time. I believe in her and her vision for this program."
A native of Belleville, New Jersey, Centeno graduated from Siena College in 2012, where she played four seasons of basketball. As a senior, she was named team captain and earned All-MAAC Third Team honors.
Centeno also competed internationally, playing for the Puerto Rican junior and senior national teams, as well as professionally in the Baloncesto Superior Nacional Femenino Pro League.
