New Era on the Hardwood: Six Rookie Coaches Set to Ignite Women’s College Hoops in 2025-26

The landscape of women’s college basketball is constantly shifting, and the upcoming 2025-26 season promises an even more dynamic change. A fresh wave of head coaches is stepping into the spotlight, and many are poised to make an immediate impact. History shows us that first-time leaders can truly electrify a program just look at Shawn Poppie, who guided Chattanooga to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, or Chelsea Lyles, who seamlessly continued Florida Gulf Coast’s dominance after Karl Smesko’s departure. Gavin Petersen similarly ensured Utah’s continued March Madness presence under his new leadership.

This season, over 15 individuals are taking their first Division I head coaching jobs. However, our focus is on the true rookies: those who have never before held a collegiate head coaching position at any level. While we’ll see familiar faces like Matthew Mitchell (Houston) or Kellie Harper (Missouri) return to the sidelines, and DII successes like Ashton Feldhaus (Morehead State) make the jump, this list spotlights the brand-new architects of future WBB success.

Here are six names you absolutely need to know:

The High-Stakes Leaps: Power Conferences & Program Reshaping

Some rookie coaches aren’t just taking on a new role; they’re navigating significant conference changes, undertaking major overhauls, or stepping into the intense pressure cooker of a Power 4 league.

Winston Gandy: Grand Canyon’s Ambitious New Architect

Talk about a resume! Winston Gandy arrives at Grand Canyon with a coaching lineage that reads like a “who’s who” of women’s basketball legends. His experience spans working under Brenda Frese, Tina Langley, Kara Lawson, and, most recently, the iconic Dawn Staley. After contributing to South Carolina’s 2024 national championship and their 2025 title game run, Gandy now takes the helm of a Grand Canyon program meticulously built by Molly Miller.

But Gandy isn’t just maintaining; he’s orchestrating a complete transformation. He’s brought in a staggering 13 new players (nine transfers and four freshmen) to reshape the roster. Adding to the challenge, the Lopes are making a significant conference leap to the Mountain West, and their non-conference schedule features four Power 4 opponents alongside formidable teams like Gonzaga. Notably, Gandy also spent three years with the NBA’s Washington Wizards, and his staff includes Celeste Taylor, a Naismith Defensive Player of the Year finalist at Duke who played under him. It’s a bold start for a coach with a golden touch.

Karen Blair: Stepping into the ACC at Georgia Tech

After 26 years of dedicated coaching, Karen Blair finally gets her shot at leading a program, and it’s a big one at Georgia Tech. For years, she was Brenda Frese’s trusted associate head coach at Maryland, playing a pivotal role in recruiting incredible talent and portal finds that delivered numerous wins and three Big Ten titles for the Terrapins.

Her path in Atlanta, however, presents a significant challenge. Player retention has been an issue, with eight players from last season’s roster, including starters Kara Dunn and Tonie Morgan, entering the transfer portal. Blair’s inaugural roster reflects this, featuring 10 newcomers and five international players. Her extensive coaching journey began after her playing career at SMU in 1999, with stops at Colgate, UT Arlington, North Texas, and VCU before her impactful tenure with Frese, where Maryland won nearly 80% of their games. Blair brings a wealth of experience and a winning pedigree to the Yellow Jackets.

Lee Cummard: BYU’s Hometown Hero in the Big 12 Era

Jeff Judkins led BYU to 11 NCAA Tournaments, but the subsequent three seasons under Amber Whiting, which included the program’s jump to the Big 12, didn’t yield a winning record. Enter Lee Cummard, a familiar and celebrated figure in Provo. A former Mountain West Player of the Year for BYU’s men’s team, Cummard has been an assistant for the women’s squad since 2019.

Here’s an intriguing stat: in his previous stints as acting head coach, Cummard boasts a perfect 3-0 record, including two wins against ranked opponents. He inherits exciting talent, notably reigning Big 12 Rookie of the Year Delaney Gibb, who even trained with the Canadian national team this summer. Also returning is sharpshooter Kailey Woolston, back from an LDS mission, who, as a true freshman, ranked 13th nationally in 3-point percentage at an incredible 46.6%. Cummard is poised to guide BYU through its critical Big 12 transition.

Upholding Dynasties: New Hands on Established Powerhouses

For some rookie coaches, the task isn’t to build from scratch, but to maintain and elevate programs accustomed to consistent success.

Raina Harmon: Continuing the Florida Gulf Coast Legacy

Florida Gulf Coast existed for years under only one coach, Karl Smesko, until his departure for the WNBA last fall. When his initial successor, Chelsea Lyles, also left for the pros, Raina Harmon stepped in to lead this mid-major powerhouse. She now faces the unique challenge of upholding a celebrated legacy.

Harmon spent eight seasons as an assistant at Iowa under the guidance of Lisa Bluder and Jan Jensen, contributing to some of the Hawkeyes’ most successful seasons in program history. FGCU, a team that has made eight consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and advanced to the second round three times, presents a high-pressure, high-reward situation. Seven new players have arrived in Fort Myers, tasked with helping Harmon keep that formidable winning tradition alive.

Alexis Sherard: Liberty’s Enduring Vision

At Liberty, Alexis Sherard has the monumental task of filling the shoes left by Carey Green, who coached the Flames for an astounding 26 years, accumulating 591 wins with only one losing season. Sherard, however, isn’t a stranger to the program’s success, having been a dedicated member of Green’s staff for 18 seasons.

He’s even stepped in for Green on several occasions, compiling an impressive 6-0 record during Green’s absence in 2021 and securing a Big South Tournament quarterfinal win in 2013. Sherard inherits a team that won 25 games last season and nearly upset Kentucky in the NCAA Tournament. The reigning CUSA champions, however, face a significant roster turnover with only one starter, Elisabeth Aegisdottir, returning. Two transfers and four freshmen will be crucial in filling these gaps as Sherard begins his official tenure.

Revitalization Projects: Building from the Ground Up

Not every rookie inherits a juggernaut. Some are tasked with breathing new life into programs eager for a resurgence.

Karlie Burris: Renewing Portland State’s Aspirations

Portland State has only managed two NCAA Tournament appearances since rejoining Division I in the late 1990s, with their last winning season occurring in 2019. Karlie Burris now steps in with the mission to revitalize the program. She’s intimately familiar with the region, having been a sharpshooting two-time All-WCC selection at the University of Portland.

After earning her master’s, Burris’s coaching journey has primarily kept her on the West Coast, with stops at Northern Arizona, Cal State Fullerton, Utah State, and UNLV. Her time at UNLV was particularly impressive, where she helped the Lady Rebels secure four consecutive Mountain West titles and three March Madness berths. Her inaugural staff at Portland State includes Raina Perez, who was named Big West Player of the Year at Cal State Fullerton after Burris helped recruit her there a compelling reunion.

The Wider Rookie Class: Names to Watch

Beyond these six, a talented cohort of first-time head coaches across Division I is preparing to leave their mark. Keep an eye on:

* Laura Dinkins (Northern Arizona)
* Kelly Killion (American)
* Erin Mills-Reid (Mercyhurst)
* Cophie Anderson (Oral Roberts)
* Shannon Bush (Colgate)
* Kristen Sharkey (Buffalo)
* Jhasmin Player (Incarnate Word)
* Blanche Alverson (San Diego)
* Tai Dillard (Prairie View A&M)

A Season of Transformation

The 2025-26 season promises to be a fascinating chapter in women’s college basketball. It’s not just about the win-loss column; it’s about new strategies, evolving team dynamics, and the potential emergence of future dynasties. These rookie coaches represent a wave of fresh perspectives and bold leadership, eager to redefine the game.

Given his unparalleled coaching pedigree and immediate, fearless roster overhaul, my money is on Winston Gandy making significant noise early at Grand Canyon. However, the beauty of college basketball lies in its unpredictability. Any one of these individuals could surprise us, becoming the next major force in the sport. It’s going to be an exhilarating season to watch these new leaders shine.