UCLA Women's Basketball Coach Cori Close Secures Four-Year Contract Extension After National Title Victory

UCLA head coach Cori Close celebrates after cutting down the net after UCLA defeated South Carolina in the women's National Championship Final Four NCAA college basketball tournament game, April 5, 2026, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)

By  BETH HARRIS Updated [hour]:[minute] [AMPM] [timezone], [monthFull] [day], [year]  
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LOS ANGELES (AP) — UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close secured a four-year contract extension, keeping her at Westwood through the 2029-30 season after leading the Bruins to a national championship. The announcement came after their decisive 79-51 victory over South Carolina, marking the program’s first NCAA title. “Winning a national championship is a tremendous achievement, but what truly stands out with Cori is her character, leadership, and daily commitment to developing student-athletes,” said Athletic Director Martin Jarmond. The Bruins celebrated their historic run, highlighted by a program-best 31-game winning streak and two consecutive league tournament titles. Close, who now holds a 358-144 record over 15 seasons—the only coach in history with over 300 wins—expressed excitement about the future: “I love being here in Westwood, and I am so excited for what the future holds.” The team also made headlines with six players earning WNBA draft selections last month, underscoring their impact beyond college basketball.

AP women’s college basketball coverage continues to spotlight top programs and emerging talent nationwide.