UAlbany Women's Basketball Coach Accepts Rhode Island Job

Colleen Mullen departs after 8 seasons leading the Great Danes program.

Mar. 30, 2026 at 12:18am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting a women's basketball game, with the court and players broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, orange, and white, conveying the transition and uncertainty facing the UAlbany program.The departure of long-time UAlbany women's basketball coach Colleen Mullen leaves the program at a crossroads, with the search for a new leader to continue its recent success.Albany Today

The University at Albany announced that women's basketball head coach Colleen Mullen is leaving the program to accept the head coaching position at the University of Rhode Island. Mullen spent 8 seasons with the Great Danes, leading the team to a 139-102 overall record and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2022.

Why it matters

Mullen's departure is a significant loss for the UAlbany women's basketball program, which had seen consistent success under her leadership, including 4 consecutive 20-win seasons and an America East Coach of the Year award in 2025. The university will now begin the search for a new head coach to continue building on the program's recent achievements.

The details

Colleen Mullen was the head coach of the UAlbany women's basketball team for the past 8 seasons. During her tenure, she led the Great Danes to a 139-102 overall record and an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2022. Mullen also coached the team to 4 straight 20-win seasons and was named the America East Coach of the Year in 2025.

  • Mullen announced her departure on March 30, 2026.

The players

Colleen Mullen

The former head coach of the UAlbany women's basketball team, who is leaving to take the head coaching job at the University of Rhode Island.

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What they’re saying

“We are grateful for Colleen's leadership and the success she brought to our women's basketball program over the past 8 years. 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.”

— University at Albany, Statement

What’s next

UAlbany will now begin a search process to find a new head coach for the women's basketball team.

The takeaway

Colleen Mullen's departure is a significant loss for the UAlbany women's basketball program, which had seen consistent success and growth under her leadership. The university will need to find a new coach who can continue building on the program's recent achievements.