UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close is staying in sunny Los Angeles.
UCLA athletics announced on Tuesday Close has signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, weeks after leading the Bruins to their first NCAA championship in women’s basketball last month.
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“I am so grateful to Chancellor Frenk and Martin Jarmond for the opportunity to continue teaching and mentoring the young women who choose UCLA,” Close said in a news release. “I love being here in Westwood, and I am so excited for what the future holds.
“I hope we can continue to make our Bruin faithful proud.”
Close has served as the head coach of the UCLA women’s basketball team since 2011. She has a 358-144 record in 15 seasons and guided the Bruins to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Fours in 2025 and 2026. The Bruins’ first trip to the Final Four in 2025 resulted in a blowout loss in the semifinals, but UCLA went all the way this spring with a 79-51 rout of South Carolina.
UCLA’s celebrations continued a week later when five Bruins from the championship roster were selected in the first round at the WNBA draft. UCLA’s five first-rounders set a record for the most WNBA Round 1 selections produced by a school in a single draft.
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“I’ve been doing this for 33 years. This is the most intentionally hardworking group of people in terms of being prepared for the pro level,” Close added of her senior core. “They’re ready.”
Close was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2025-26 after the record-breaking season.
“We are extremely proud of what Cori has accomplished in leading our young women,” UCLA’s athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement. “Winning a national championship is a tremendous achievement, but what truly stands out with Cori is the character, leadership and daily commitment she and her staff bring to help developing her players into the best versions of themselves. We are very fortunate to have Cori leading this program, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future of this team.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close extended after NCAA title
