UCF Hires Gabe Lazo as New Women's Basketball Coach

Lazo brings Power Five experience as he aims to reenergize the Knights' program.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 11:09pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a women's basketball game broken down into overlapping planes of navy blue, gold, and white, conveying the dynamic energy and potential of the UCF program under new leadership.Lazo's arrival at UCF signals a new era of geometric energy and fractured potential for the women's basketball program.Today in Orlando

The University of Central Florida has hired Gabe Lazo as its new head women's basketball coach. Lazo, a Miami native, has previous assistant coaching experience at Mississippi State and Tennessee and is taking over a UCF program looking to gain traction in the Big 12 conference.

Why it matters

UCF's women's basketball team has struggled in recent years, finishing under .500 in four straight seasons. Lazo's hiring represents an opportunity to revitalize the program and build it into a contender in the highly competitive Big 12.

The details

Lazo, who is taking on his first head coaching role in college, has pledged to 'reenergize' the UCF program. He has emphasized the importance of the existing players and building a strong culture. UCF athletic director Terry Mohajir was impressed by Lazo's authenticity and track record of winning at various levels.

  • Lazo was introduced as UCF's new head coach on April 9, 2026.

The players

Gabe Lazo

Lazo is the new head women's basketball coach at the University of Central Florida. He has previous assistant coaching experience at Mississippi State and Tennessee.

Terry Mohajir

Mohajir is the athletic director at the University of Central Florida. He was convinced early in the coaching search that Lazo was the right person to lead the women's basketball program.

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What they’re saying

“We're going to reenergize this program. We have the right people in place, the staff we have together is the key. The young women that have stayed here...they're going to be a huge part of the culture that we're going to build. I have been able to develop and coach professional players.”

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

“He's authentic, he's a connector. He wins everywhere. He has seen at every different level winning...as a player he played Division 1, he's played JUCO ball, so there's not a player that can explain to him that you haven't gone what I'm going through...he's seen it all.”

— Terry Mohajir, Athletic Director, UCF

What’s next

Lazo will begin assembling his coaching staff and evaluating the current UCF roster as he looks to turn the program around in his first season.

The takeaway

Gabe Lazo's hiring represents a fresh start for the UCF women's basketball program, which has struggled in recent years. His previous experience at the Power Five level and his commitment to building a strong culture could be the keys to revitalizing the Knights and making them competitive in the Big 12 conference.