Coaching Carousel Spins: Who's In, Who's Out?

The 2026 NCAA Division I women's basketball coaching carousel is in full swing as the regular season concludes. Several programs are undergoing significant leadership changes, with more expected as the offseason progresses. The landscape of college athletics, influenced by factors like the transfer portal and financial pressures, is contributing to this shift.

Boston College parted ways with head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee on March 1st, following a 5-25 overall record and a 1-17 performance in ACC play, marking her most challenging season. The program struggled with player retention in the era of the transfer portal. Joe McKeown, the venerable coach at Northwestern, announced that this season would be his last. With 40 years of coaching experience, McKeown's retirement opens a prominent position, and the university has begun second-round interviews with candidates.

Rutgers has also made a coaching change, dismissing Coquese Washington on March 2nd after four seasons where the team struggled to achieve consistent success in the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights face significant financial deficits, which have complicated their efforts to compete effectively in the current collegiate sports environment. VCU previously dismissed Beth O'Boyle on February 2nd, despite her being the program's winningest coach, after a mixed record in recent seasons.