UAlbany Women's Basketball Coach Departs for Rhode Island

Longtime Great Danes head coach Joanna Mullen accepts new position at URI.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 9:15pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a fragmented women's basketball game, with sharp planes of navy, green, and gold colors representing the transition the UAlbany program now faces.The departure of longtime UAlbany women's basketball coach Joanna Mullen leaves the program at a crossroads, requiring a new strategic vision to maintain its recent success.Albany Today

The University at Albany has announced that Joanna Mullen, the head coach of the women's basketball team for the past 12 seasons, has accepted a new position as the head coach of the University of Rhode Island Rams women's basketball program.

Why it matters

Mullen had built the UAlbany program into a consistent contender in the America East Conference, leading the Great Danes to five conference tournament championships and five NCAA Tournament appearances during her tenure. Her departure is a significant loss for the UAlbany athletics department and will require a search for a new head coach to maintain the program's success.

The details

Mullen's decision to leave UAlbany comes after she led the Great Danes to a 20-12 record and a berth in the 2026 NCAA Tournament. She departs as the winningest coach in program history with 232 victories. Mullen will now take over a Rhode Island program that has struggled in recent seasons, looking to replicate the sustained success she achieved at UAlbany.

  • Mullen had been the head coach of the UAlbany women's basketball team since 2014.
  • She announced her departure from UAlbany on March 29, 2026.

The players

Joanna Mullen

The former head coach of the University at Albany women's basketball team, who has accepted the head coaching position at the University of Rhode Island.

Mark Benson

The Director of Athletics at the University at Albany, who will now oversee the search for a new head coach for the women's basketball program.

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What they’re saying

“Joanna has done an incredible job building our women's basketball program into a consistent winner and NCAA Tournament participant. While we are sad to see her go, we wish her the best of luck in her new role at the University of Rhode Island.”

— Mark Benson, Director of Athletics, University at Albany

What’s next

The University at Albany will immediately begin a national search for a new head coach to lead the women's basketball program and continue its recent success.

The takeaway

Mullen's departure represents a significant loss for the UAlbany women's basketball program, which will now need to find a new leader to maintain the team's status as a perennial America East contender and NCAA Tournament participant.