Georgia Hires McNeese's Ayla Guzzardo as New Women's Basketball Coach

Guzzardo replaces Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who mutually parted ways with the program after four seasons.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 6:39pm

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The University of Georgia has hired Ayla Guzzardo, the former head coach at McNeese State, as the new head coach of its women's basketball team. Guzzardo, a native of Hammond, Louisiana, replaces Katie Abrahamson-Henderson, who mutually parted ways with Georgia after four seasons at the helm. Guzzardo led McNeese State to a record-breaking 29 wins and a Southland Conference regular season title in her first year as head coach.

Why it matters

Georgia's women's basketball program has a proud history, including five Final Four appearances and eight SEC titles under longtime coach Andy Landers. However, the Bulldogs have struggled to reach the same heights in the years since Landers' retirement, failing to advance past the Sweet Sixteen since 2013. The hiring of Guzzardo, a rising star in the coaching ranks, represents an opportunity for Georgia to reclaim its place among the elite women's basketball programs in the country.

The details

Guzzardo, who has nine years of Division I head coaching experience, was previously the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, where she led the program to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023 and a program-record 26 wins in the 2024-25 season. Prior to that, she was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Akron. At McNeese State this past season, Guzzardo guided the Cowgirls to a Southland Conference regular season title and a program-record 29 wins.

  • On April 5, 2026, Georgia announced that Ayla Guzzardo would be the next head coach of the women's basketball team.
  • Guzzardo's five-year contract with Georgia will begin immediately.

The players

Ayla Guzzardo

The new head coach of the Georgia women's basketball team, Guzzardo has nine years of Division I head coaching experience, including leading McNeese State to a record-breaking season in 2025-26.

Katie Abrahamson-Henderson

The former head coach of the Georgia women's basketball team, Abrahamson-Henderson mutually parted ways with the program after four seasons, during which the Bulldogs made two NCAA Tournament appearances.

Josh Brooks

The athletic director at the University of Georgia, who quickly hired Guzzardo less than 48 hours after Abrahamson-Henderson's departure.

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What they’re saying

“Ayla Guzzardo is an up-and-coming star in the coaching ranks, and we're thrilled to have her lead our women's basketball program into the future.”

— Josh Brooks, Georgia Athletic Director

What’s next

Guzzardo will immediately begin assembling her coaching staff and recruiting players to join the Georgia program.

The takeaway

The hiring of Ayla Guzzardo as the new head coach of the Georgia women's basketball team represents a significant opportunity for the program to return to its former glory. Guzzardo's proven track record of success at the mid-major level, combined with Georgia's rich basketball tradition, could be the formula needed to propel the Bulldogs back into national prominence.