Head Coach Vanessa Blair Lewis

[Pablo]

Sytia Messer out as UCF women’s basketball coach

Sytia Messer is out at UCF after four seasons. She went 49-69 leading the Knights women's basketball team. Here's who UCF might call next.

www.usatoday.com

"Vanessa Blair-Lewis, George Mason head coach​

Blair-Lewis really has won everywhere she’s been. She captured conference titles at Mount St. Mary’s, guided Bethune-Cookman to four seasons of 20 wins or more and took the Wildcats to their first NCAA Tournament, and then last season coached George Mason to its first March Madness appearance. The Patriots went 23-10 this season and won the Atlantic-10 regular season title for the first time in program history. Blair-Lewis has made a career out of winning big at places where it’s difficult to do so and captured her 400th victory earlier this season. She was in the mix for some Power 4 openings last year, but ultimately decided to stay at George Mason. She also interviewed for the head coach opening at Florida before the Gators ultimately hired Tammi Reiss. She spent 12 seasons coaching at Bethune-Cookman in the previous decade and her connections in Florida could pay off if she were to undertake a rebuilding job at UCF."

UCF Names Gabe Lazo Head Women's Basketball Coach

ucfknights.com

 

[Verdad]

The UVA women's job is now open

March Madness coach fired amid 'toxic, nightmarish' culture

One of the brightest stories in the women's March Madness tournament is now shrouded by a dark cloud after Virginia fired basketball coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton.

www.dailymail.co.uk

 

[DRK331]

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[Pablo]

The UVA women's job is now open

Four Candidates Virginia Should Pursue to be Its Next Women's Basketball Head Coach

Virginia's Women's basketball program made a change over the weekend. After four years as the head coach and a run to the Sweet 16 this past season, Amaka Agug

www.si.com

1. Dawn Staley​

2. Kenny Brooks​

3. Tim Taylor​

4. Vanessa Blair-Lewis​

"Blair-Lewis has done a terrific job as the coach at George Mason and has been mentioned as a candidate for other big jobs.

In 2024–25, Blair-Lewis led George Mason to its first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Patriots posted a program-record 27 wins, including a best-ever 11–1 start and their first back-to-back 20+ win seasons. The team also reached its highest-ever NET ranking at No. 40 (first achieved on Dec. 4, 2024)"

 

[Pablo]

Four Candidates Virginia Should Pursue to be Its Next Women's Basketball Head Coach

Virginia's Women's basketball program made a change over the weekend. After four years as the head coach and a run to the Sweet 16 this past season, Amaka Agug

www.si.com

1. Dawn Staley​

2. Kenny Brooks​

3. Tim Taylor​

4. Vanessa Blair-Lewis​

"Blair-Lewis has done a terrific job as the coach at George Mason and has been mentioned as a candidate for other big jobs.

In 2024–25, Blair-Lewis led George Mason to its first-ever Atlantic 10 Championship and first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. The Patriots posted a program-record 27 wins, including a best-ever 11–1 start and their first back-to-back 20+ win seasons. The team also reached its highest-ever NET ranking at No. 40 (first achieved on Dec. 4, 2024)"

Aaron Roussell Named Virginia Head Women’s Basketball Coach

University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams announced today (April 7) the hiring of Aaron Roussell as head women’s basketball coach. Roussell becomes the seventh head coach in the program’s history.

virginiasports.com

 

[TweederGMU]

UVA signed the Richmond coach today - Aaron Roussell.

Aaron Roussell Named Virginia Head Women’s Basketball Coach

University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams announced today (April 7) the hiring of Aaron Roussell as head women’s basketball coach. Roussell becomes the seventh head coach in the program’s history.

virginiasports.com

That's going to hit UR very hard as I imagine a bunch of their players will follow him to UVA since 98% of their roster is gone. Look for UR to need a coach and major pieces this upcoming year.

 

[psyclone]

UVA signed the Richmond coach today - Aaron Roussell.

Aaron Roussell Named Virginia Head Women’s Basketball Coach

University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams announced today (April 7) the hiring of Aaron Roussell as head women’s basketball coach. Roussell becomes the seventh head coach in the program’s history.

virginiasports.com

That's going to hit UR very hard as I imagine a bunch of their players will follow him to UVA since 98% of their roster is gone. Look for UR to need a coach and major pieces this upcoming year.

While UVa loses some players, I would think that many of the remaining roster might well remain, given Roussel's reputation and past success wherever he's coached. Especially given the tone of this article, which was written prior to the firing of the coach and given that some UVa players were thinking of leaving due to that coach's treatment of the players.

Hoos Eager to Build on NCAA Tournament Run

After winning three games in the NCAA tournament, No. 10 seed Virginia saw its postseason run end Saturday night. UVA fell 79-69 to No. 3 seed TCU in a Sweet Sixteen game in Sacramento, Calif.

virginiasports.com

 

[psyclone]

While UVa loses some players, I would think that many of the remaining roster might well remain, given Roussel'sB reputation and past success wherever he's coached. Especially given the tone of this article, which was written prior to the firing of the coach and given that some UVa players were thinking of leaving due to that coach's treatment of the players.

Hoos Eager to Build on NCAA Tournament Run

After winning three games in the NCAA tournament, No. 10 seed Virginia saw its postseason run end Saturday night. UVA fell 79-69 to No. 3 seed TCU in a Sweet Sixteen game in Sacramento, Calif.

virginiasports.com

Better article on Roussell taking the UVa job . Pay wall-The Athletic

Virginia hires Richmond’s Aaron Roussell as new women’s basketball coach

Roussell knows the region well after coaching in the state for the last seven seasons.

www.nytimes.com

 

[DRK331]

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[DRK331]

New GMU article on Vanessa Blair Lewis

The Next Chapter of Women’s Basketball | Fourth Estate

Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis stands on the sidelines during a Feb. 25 matchup against Saint Joseph's. She coached the Patriots to their second straight A-10 Championship Game appearance in 2025-26. (Davon Marion / Fourth Estate) Mason Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis reflects on next steps amid ...

t.co

 

[psyclone]

New GMU article on Vanessa Blair Lewis

The Next Chapter of Women’s Basketball | Fourth Estate

Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis stands on the sidelines during a Feb. 25 matchup against Saint Joseph's. She coached the Patriots to their second straight A-10 Championship Game appearance in 2025-26. (Davon Marion / Fourth Estate) Mason Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis reflects on next steps amid ...

t.co

Excellent article that provides perspective! Fingers crossed that we can sustain our "standard"!