Pauline Love Named Head Women's Basketball Coach at Alabama

Love returns to Tuscaloosa after one season as associate head coach at Oklahoma

Apr. 1, 2026 at 8:27pm

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The University of Alabama has named Pauline Love as the new head coach of the women's basketball program. Love, who previously served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the Crimson Tide, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday, April 2.

Why it matters

Love is known as one of the nation's top recruiters and developers of talent, having coached numerous all-conference selections, All-Americans, and WNBA Draft picks. Her return to Alabama is expected to help the Crimson Tide women's basketball program continue to rise and compete at a championship level.

The details

Love spent the 2024-25 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Alabama after serving in the same role at Arkansas from 2017-2024. She most recently spent one season as the associate head coach at Oklahoma, helping the Sooners advance to the NCAA Sweet 16 and average a program-best 85.9 points per game.

  • Love will be formally introduced as Alabama's new head coach on Thursday, April 2, 2026.
  • She spent the 2024-25 season as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Alabama.
  • Love served as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at Arkansas from 2017-2024.

The players

Pauline Love

The new head coach of the University of Alabama women's basketball program. Love is known as one of the nation's top recruiters and developers of talent, having coached numerous all-conference selections, All-Americans, and WNBA Draft picks.

Greg Byrne

The Director of Athletics at the University of Alabama, who announced the hiring of Pauline Love as the new head coach of the women's basketball program.

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to welcome Pauline back to Tuscaloosa. Throughout this process, we spoke with several people, and she quickly rose to the top of that list. Pauline's vision for this program and preparation to lead Alabama women's basketball is incredibly impressive, and we look forward to seeing the Tide continue to rise under her leadership.”

— Greg Byrne, Director of Athletics, University of Alabama

“I'm incredibly honored to lead the Alabama women's basketball program. This is a place with a championship standard, and we're going to build a team that reflects that every day through toughness, togetherness and trust. I'm excited to get to work with our players, connect with this community and build something special in Tuscaloosa. I want to thank Greg Byrne, President Mohler and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity.”

— Pauline Love, Head Coach, University of Alabama Women's Basketball

What’s next

Love will be formally introduced as Alabama's new head coach at a press conference on Thursday, April 2, 2026.

The takeaway

Pauline Love's return to Alabama as the new head coach of the women's basketball program is expected to bring a renewed focus on recruiting and player development, which could help the Crimson Tide compete at a championship level in the SEC and nationally.