Vanderbilt's Shea Ralph Named AP Women's Basketball Coach of the Year

The Commodores' head coach earns prestigious national honor after leading team to NCAA Tournament

Apr. 2, 2026 at 8:42pm

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An abstract, energetic painting in bright neon colors, with rapid brushstrokes capturing the dynamic movements and raw emotion of a women's college basketball game.Shea Ralph's coaching brilliance has transformed Vanderbilt into an NCAA Tournament contender, earning her national recognition as the AP's top women's basketball coach.Phoenix Today

Shea Ralph, the head coach of the Vanderbilt women's basketball team, has been named the Associated Press Coach of the Year in women's college basketball. Ralph guided the Commodores to the NCAA Tournament this season, a significant accomplishment for the program.

Why it matters

Ralph's recognition as the top coach in the country is a major milestone for Vanderbilt, which has struggled in recent years to be competitive in the highly competitive SEC conference. Her award highlights the turnaround she has engineered and the bright future ahead for the Commodores' program.

The details

In her third season as Vanderbilt's head coach, Ralph led the team to a 21-11 record and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the program's first appearance in the Big Dance since 2014. Under her leadership, the Commodores improved their win total by 10 games from the previous season.

  • Shea Ralph was named the AP Coach of the Year on April 2, 2026.

The players

Shea Ralph

The head coach of the Vanderbilt women's basketball team, who has led the program's turnaround in her three seasons at the helm.

Vanderbilt Commodores

The women's basketball team from Vanderbilt University, which earned an NCAA Tournament berth this season under Coach Shea Ralph's guidance.

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What they’re saying

“Shea Ralph has done an incredible job in turning Vanderbilt into a competitive program again in the SEC. This award is well-deserved recognition for the work she has put in.”

— Geno Auriemma, Head Coach, UConn Women's Basketball

What’s next

Shea Ralph and the Vanderbilt Commodores will look to build on this successful season and make a deep run in the upcoming NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Shea Ralph's AP Coach of the Year honor is a testament to her coaching acumen and the bright future she has cultivated for the Vanderbilt women's basketball program. Her turnaround of the Commodores has them back on the national map in women's college hoops.