Ace Austin's Future with Alabama Women's Basketball Uncertain

Kristy Curry's departure and Ricky Austin's new job at Jacksonville State raise questions about Ace Austin's plans.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 10:13pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the action of a women's basketball game, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in deep red, navy, and gold tones, conveying the uncertainty and shifting dynamics of the program's leadership transition.The uncertain future of a star player highlights the complex dynamics of college basketball coaching changes.Jacksonville Today

Following the departure of head coach Kristy Curry from the Alabama women's basketball team, the future of star player Ace Austin with the program remains uncertain. Ace's father, Ricky Austin, was recently hired as the new women's basketball coach at Jacksonville State University, leading to speculation about whether Ace will follow her dad to the new job or remain at Alabama.

Why it matters

Ace Austin is a key player for the Alabama women's basketball team, and her potential departure would be a significant loss for the program. Her decision could also impact recruiting and the team's competitiveness in the upcoming season.

The details

Ricky Austin, Ace's father, was hired as the new women's basketball coach at Jacksonville State University after Kristy Curry's departure from Alabama. In an interview with the Gadsden Times, Ricky Austin stated that Ace is currently content to wait and see who Alabama hires as their new head coach, and that if it's a good fit for her, she'll be happy to stay. However, the possibility of Ace following her dad to Jacksonville State remains.

  • Kristy Curry recently left her position as the head coach of the Alabama women's basketball team.
  • Ricky Austin was hired as the new women's basketball coach at Jacksonville State University.

The players

Ace Austin

A key player on the Alabama women's basketball team whose future with the program is uncertain following the departure of head coach Kristy Curry.

Ricky Austin

Ace Austin's father, who was recently hired as the new women's basketball coach at Jacksonville State University.

Kristy Curry

The former head coach of the Alabama women's basketball team, who has since left the program.

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What they’re saying

“Right now she's content on waiting on seeing who they hire. If its a great fit for her as coach Curry and that same sequence we talked about. Then she'll be happy there.”

— Ricky Austin, Ace Austin's father and new Jacksonville State women's basketball coach

What’s next

The Alabama women's basketball program will need to hire a new head coach, which could impact Ace Austin's decision to remain with the team or follow her father to Jacksonville State.

The takeaway

Ace Austin's future with the Alabama women's basketball team remains uncertain, as her father's new job at Jacksonville State raises questions about whether she will stay in Tuscaloosa or join him at the new program. The hiring of Alabama's next head coach will be a key factor in Ace's decision.