UCF Hires Former Tennessee Assistant as New Head Coach

Gabe Lazo, who previously served on the Lady Vols staff, takes over the Knights' women's basketball program.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 5:18pm

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The University of Central Florida has announced the hiring of Gabe Lazo as the new head coach of its women's basketball team. Lazo previously worked as an assistant coach for the Tennessee Lady Vols from 2024 to 2026 before resigning on March 27 to take an associate head coaching job at Florida State.

Why it matters

UCF is looking to build on its recent success in women's basketball, having made the NCAA Tournament in 2025. Lazo's experience as an assistant at a major program like Tennessee should help him elevate the Knights to new heights in the Big 12 Conference.

The details

Lazo, a Florida native, expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying 'This is a special place with tremendous potential, and I'm grateful to President Alexander Cartwright, Terry Mohajir, Chris McFarlane, and the leadership at UCF for believing in me.' He will be tasked with continuing UCF's upward trajectory after the team made the NCAA Tournament for the first time in program history last season.

  • Lazo was hired as an assistant coach at LSU on Tuesday after resigning from the Lady Vols on March 27.
  • He was replaced at Tennessee by Florida State associate head coach Bill Ferrara.

The players

Gabe Lazo

The new head coach of the UCF women's basketball team, who previously served as an assistant at Tennessee from 2024 to 2026.

Alexander Cartwright

The president of the University of Central Florida, who was involved in hiring Lazo as the new head coach.

Terry Mohajir

The athletic director at the University of Central Florida, who was involved in hiring Lazo as the new head coach.

Chris McFarlane

A member of the leadership team at the University of Central Florida, who was involved in hiring Lazo as the new head coach.

Bill Ferrara

The new associate head coach at Tennessee, replacing Lazo on the Lady Vols' staff.

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What they’re saying

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be named the head coach at UCF. This is a special place with tremendous potential, and I'm grateful to President Alexander Cartwright, Terry Mohajir, Chris McFarlane, and the leadership at UCF for believing in me. As a Florida native, this opportunity means a great deal to me. I look forward to building meaningful relationships with our student-athletes, competing at a high level in the Big 12, and making Knight Nation proud.”

— Gabe Lazo, New Head Coach, UCF Women's Basketball

What’s next

Lazo will begin assembling his coaching staff and recruiting players to build the UCF women's basketball program into a consistent contender in the Big 12 Conference.

The takeaway

UCF has made a strong hire in Gabe Lazo, who brings valuable experience from his time as an assistant at a major program like Tennessee. His familiarity with the state of Florida and the Big 12 Conference should help him hit the ground running in his new role and continue the Knights' recent success on the court.