Since taking the reins in 2011, Cori Close has turned UCLA into a national threat with a strong foundation built on player development and tactical brilliance. But her coaching journey hit a whole new level during the 2024-25 season.
Jeff Walz has been a staple of March Madness since 2007. The man is a machine—465 wins, 12 Sweet Sixteens, eight Elite Eights, and two trips to the national championship game. And who could forget that legendary 2013 upset over No. 1 Baylor, when Louisville shocked the nation and danced all the way to the title game?
Wes Moore has rebuilt NC State brick by brick since 2013, shaping the Wolfpack into one of the most disciplined and defensively dominant programs in the country. His attention to detail and tough-minded approach have translated to multiple 20-win seasons, top ACC finishes, and consistent NCAA Tournament runs.
Adia Barnes stunned the nation when she took Arizona to the 2021 national title game. After years of building the Wildcats from the ground up, she created a gritty, resilient team that played with swagger and heart.
Kellie Harper has been everywhere—Western Carolina, NC State, Missouri State, and most recently, Tennessee, where she notched a 108-52 record and helped develop four WNBA first-round picks.
When Teri Moren took over Indiana in 2014, the program wasn’t exactly a national name. Fast forward a decade, and she’s now the winningest coach in program history (226-99). Moren’s resume includes six NCAA appearances, three Sweet Sixteens, and an Elite Eight, plus a 2023 AP National Coach of the Year award.
Courtney Banghart made waves at Princeton, winning Ivy League titles and turning the Tigers into a mid-major powerhouse. Since taking over UNC in 2019, she’s been on a mission to bring Carolina women’s basketball back to national relevance.
