The NCAA coaching carousel is picking up speed, as conference crash-outs give way to staffing changes across Division I women's basketball.
Florida parted ways with fifth-year head coach Kelly Rae Finley after the Gators' second-round SEC tournament exit last week capped an 18-15 season record. The team will miss March Madness for the fourth straight year despite rostering three McDonald's All-Americans.
"The University of Florida is committed to building a women's basketball program that consistently reaches the NCAA Tournament," director of athletics Scott Stricklin said in a Monday statement. "We look forward to hiring a coach and staff who can deliver on those expectations."
Other teams outside the postseason bubble also began making moves, shooting to strengthen both offseason recruiting and next season's showing.
Finishing last in the Big Ten at a 9-20 overall 2025/26 record, Rutgers replaced fourth-year head coach Coquese Washington — the successor of the Scarlet Knights' legendary leader C. Vivian Stringer — with LSU assistant Gary Redus II, after Redus II helped bring top-ranked players to Baton Rouge.
Mid-major staple Memphis dismissed coach Alex Simmons after going 30-61 across three seasons at the Tigers' helm.
Meanwhile, after failing to make the Big Ten tournament cut, Penn State parted ways with head coach Carolyn Kieger, who posted just one winning season in her seven years leading the Nittany Lions.
With the NCAA coaching carousel just starting to spin, expect more leaders to fall as teams progress — or stumble — through this month's national tournament.
