Guzzardo Named Fourth Full-Time Head Coach in Georgia History

Ayla Guzzardo takes over the University of Georgia women's basketball program after leading McNeese State to a historic turnaround season.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 8:36pm

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Ayla Guzzardo, who led McNeese State to the best single-season turnaround in NCAA Division I women's basketball with a school-record 29 wins this past season, has been named the next head coach of Georgia Lady Bulldog basketball. The three-time Southland Conference champion and Coach of the Year will take over a storied program that has a proud tradition of success.

Why it matters

Guzzardo's hiring represents a major coup for the University of Georgia, as she brings a proven track record of building winning programs and developing talent. Her arrival will energize the Lady Bulldog fanbase and raise expectations for the team to compete at the highest level in the SEC.

The details

Guzzardo spent one season at McNeese State after leading Southeastern Louisiana on a historic run, guiding the Lions to the 2023 NCAA Tournament with an average of 22 wins, a pair of Southland Conference titles, and an impressive 47-9 league record over her final three seasons. Prior to that, she began her coaching career at her alma mater, Akron University, where she served for four seasons before moving back to Hammond, Louisiana to become a successful high school coach.

  • Guzzardo was named the head coach of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs on April 5, 2026.
  • She led McNeese State to a school-record 29 wins and the Southland Conference title during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Ayla Guzzardo

The new head coach of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs, Guzzardo is a three-time Southland Conference champion and Coach of the Year who engineered a remarkable turnaround at McNeese State, taking the team from 10-21 to 29-6 in her lone season.

Josh Brooks

The J. Reid Parker Director of Athletics at the University of Georgia, Brooks announced Guzzardo's hiring and expressed excitement about her ability to connect with fans, support student-athletes, and continue the proud tradition of Lady Bulldog basketball.

Jere W. Morehead

The President of the University of Georgia, Morehead welcomed Guzzardo to the program and expressed confidence in her record of success and commitment to student-athlete development.

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What they’re saying

“Ayla has earned this opportunity. I have watched her teams from afar, and I have played against her teams. She is an outstanding coach and an even better human being. She is a tireless worker and has proven herself to be a winner everywhere she has coached.”

— Kim Mulkey, Head Coach at LSU

“Ayla is an incredible hire for the University of Georgia. She's been a star for years, and this opportunity is a true reflection of her hard work and success. She's a passionate coach who runs a comprehensive program. I've never seen players love their coach more or be more willing to play hard for her. It says everything about who she is as a leader. She's the complete package: great in the community, a fierce competitor, and a tireless recruiter. Georgia got a great one.”

— Heath Schroyer, Former McNeese State Director of Athletics and current Sr. Deputy AD at LSU

“I loved coaching Ayla at Akron and loved watching her growth as a player and now as one of the top young coaches in the game. As a head coach, her biggest strength is her ability to relate and communicate to her players. She will bring toughness, passion and enthusiasm both on and off the court. The community of Athens and her players will love Ayla and her family as much as I do.”

— Jodi Kest, former University of Akron Head Coach

What’s next

Guzzardo will begin assembling her coaching staff and recruiting players to continue the Lady Bulldogs' tradition of excellence.

The takeaway

Ayla Guzzardo's hiring as the new head coach of the Georgia Lady Bulldogs represents a major coup for the program, as she brings a proven track record of building winning teams and developing talent. Her passion, work ethic, and ability to connect with players should energize the fanbase and raise expectations for the team to compete at the highest level in the SEC.