UConn head coach Geno Auriemma’s temper during the Final Four seemed to spark a wave of chaos in women’s college basketball that culminated on Saturday.
Two head coaches who led their teams to seasons that exceeded expectations are out. A coach who just took an assistant coaching position at a high-profile program will be offered a mid-level head coaching opportunity. Two of the top recruits in the class of 2026, one of whom was rated No. 1 by some evaluators, asked to relinquish their commitments. Additionally, new ensembles are still emerging on the portal.
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Here’s a breakdown of Saturday’s women’s college basketball game.
Coach Abe and Coach Mox are absent from UGA and UVA
In the first round of the NCAA tournament, during the match between No. 7 seed Georgia and No. 10 seed Virginia, ESPN reported in detail the friendship between University of Georgia head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and University of Virginia Amaka Aguga-Hamilton, and even revealed that Coach Abe was one of Coach Meaux’s bridesmaids.
Now, the two may have a more ignominious story together, as both lost those jobs despite leading the Bulldogs and Knights to more successful seasons than expected.
In Georgia, the decision on Abrahamson-Henderson was described as a mutual separation, though it’s unclear whether that was semantic or an accurate description of what actually happened.
In her fourth season, Abrahamson-Henderson led her team to its second NCAA Tournament appearance, compiling a 22-10 record, including an 8-8 mark in the SEC, securing the Dawgs a No. 7 seed. Georgia also cracked the Associated Press Top 25 for the first time during Abe’s tenure, rising to No. 22 and finishing the season at No. 24. Along the way, the Bulldogs defeated their SEC opponents: the then-No. 1 team. 16 Ole Miss, then-no. 11 Kentucky, then-no. 5 Vanderbilt.
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Georgia’s performance in the NCAA tournament was arguably a blemish, as the Bulldogs were the only single-digit seed to lose to a double-digit seed in the first round. Her management of that game – a tight rotation that led to players appearing exhausted in overtime – will likely be criticized. However, considering that just making it to the tournament is an overachievement, banishing her seems like an overreaction unless there are any undisclosed behind-the-scenes issues.
Aga-Hamilton’s exit from Charlottesville, however, seems more puzzling — at least on the surface. Mitchell Northam of USA Today reports that Coach Meaux was accused of mistreating staff, leading to an internal investigation.
The accusations tainted a successful season as Coach Meaux not only led the Cavaliers to the tournament for the first time since 2018, but also took them from the First Four to the Sweet 16, where a No. 10 seed became the first First Four team to reach the Sweet 16. Overall, UVA finished the season with a 22-12 record and an 11-7 record in the ACC, including an upset of then-No. 8 Louisville.
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Lazo jumped from Tennessee to LSU to UCLA
Gabo Lazo, who was Tennessee head coach Kim Caldwell’s lead recruiter, has joined LSU head coach Kim Mulkey’s staff to fill the vacancy left by current Rutgers head coach Gary Redus.
However, his time in Baton Rouge would be extremely short-lived as he would fill the role that Coach Abe held before she jumped to the University of Central Florida in Georgia. On Friday, the show fired Sytia Messer, who replaced Abrahamson-Henderson and struggled to find success after four seasons.
Lazo, a Cuban from Miami, had been eyeing the position at the University of Central Florida, where more than 30 percent of students are Hispanic, Northam reported.
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when asked new orleans advocate Mulkey expressed no ill will toward Lazo’s departure, saying, “I’m happy for Gabe. How can you not be happy for someone who’s a first-time head coach and doing it in his hometown?”
Where will Big Oh go?
Lazo’s activities involve major recruiting news.
Oliviyah Edwards, the No. 2 ranked recruit in the ESPN SportsCenter NEXT 100 class of 2026, wasn’t shy about acknowledging Lazo’s role in her decision to commit to Tennessee, even posting a photo of her and Lazo on her Instagram Story. Very Rocky Top’s season has fueled speculation about whether she’ll still be signed to the show.
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Lazo’s departure only fuels that speculation.
Now, as Edwards asked her to commit, it’s official. We now await Dunk’s next move from the 6-foot-3 forward from Washington State. During the initial recruiting process, Edwards also strongly considered USC, South Carolina, LSU, Florida State and Washington State.
Another five-star recruit also asked to be released from her commitment, with Trinity Jones, a 6-foot-1 guard ranked No. 11 overall by ESPN, opting out of Clemson. Jones initially chose Clemson over LSU, Tennessee and UCLA.
Will more chaos shake up women’s college basketball?
It looks like this wave of unrest will continue to sweep through the sport.
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The departures of coaches Abrahamson-Henderson and Meaux have impacted player transfer decisions, with Danny Carnegie leading the team away from Athens and Samia Smith announcing her intention to enter the portal again. Kemora Johnson has yet to give any hints about her future.
The new staffs at UGA and UVA are sure to spark a slew of more changes in terms of coaching and player turnover. We’ll also see what kind of pull Lazo might have against UCF.
Iowa State’s situation will be watched particularly closely, with head coach Bill Fennelly getting the nod from athletic director despite the departure of 10 Cyclones, including Audie Crooks; Tennessee assistant coach Roman Tubner was fired and only a lone Lady Vol remains on the roster.
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Other notable players have said they plan to explore different opportunities, led by Maryland’s Isimenme Oz-Momodu and USC’s Malia Samuels.
If you dare, share your thoughts possible What happens next is in the comments.
