Vanderbilt's Shea Ralph Named AP Women's Basketball Coach of the Year

Ralph led the Commodores to their most successful season in school history.

Apr. 3, 2026 at 6:51am

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A fractured, geometric painting in bold navy, gold, and white colors, breaking down a women's basketball game into sharp, overlapping planes and shapes to conceptually represent Vanderbilt's successful season.Vanderbilt's rapid rise to national prominence is captured in a cubist-inspired illustration that deconstructs the energy and movement of the game.Today in Nashville

Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt was named The Associated Press women's basketball Coach of the Year on Thursday after turning the Commodores into one of the top teams in the nation. Ralph led a team that returned just one starter to a 29-5 season, with 13 wins coming against a tough SEC schedule. The Commodores finished tied for second in the conference and earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16.

Why it matters

This is the first time a Vanderbilt coach has won the AP Coach of the Year award, which was launched in 1994-95. Ralph's success in quickly rebuilding the Commodores into a national powerhouse has brought increased attention and recognition to the program.

The details

Under Ralph's leadership, Vanderbilt went 29-5 this season, a seven-win improvement from the previous year. The team was ranked as high as No. 5 in the AP poll and earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament, reaching the Sweet 16. The Commodores finished tied for second in the rugged SEC, matching the best conference finish in program history.

  • Shea Ralph was named AP Coach of the Year on April 3, 2026.
  • Vanderbilt went 29-5 during the 2025-26 season.

The players

Shea Ralph

The head coach of the Vanderbilt women's basketball team, who was named AP Coach of the Year after leading the Commodores to their most successful season in school history.

Mikayla Blakes

The All-America guard for Vanderbilt, who said Ralph is "someone you would want to run through a brick wall for" due to her investment in the team.

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What they’re saying

“It's wild. It's hard to wrap my mind around it. This whole year we haven't slowed down. I love basketball, I love the group that I coach.I love they stayed with me. It's been hard and it's been challenging, but in a good way.”

— Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt Head Coach

“She's someone you would want to run through a brick wall for. She has bought so much into us that it's only right that we continue to fight in this game for her, and she's someone who in tough moments you want to lean on. And that's the reason why I came here.”

— Mikayla Blakes, Vanderbilt Guard

What’s next

Vanderbilt will look to build on its successful 2025-26 season and make another deep run in the 2026-27 NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Shea Ralph's rapid turnaround of the Vanderbilt women's basketball program, transforming them into a national contender, has earned her well-deserved recognition as the AP Coach of the Year. Her ability to quickly instill a winning culture and get the most out of her players has put the Commodores back on the map in the SEC and nationally.