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Georgia women's basketball finalizes staff. Who is joining Ayla Guzzardo?
TL;DR
Georgia women's basketball has finalized its coaching staff, adding new members to support head coach Ayla Guzzardo. The changes aim to enhance the team's performance for the upcoming season.
Key points
- Georgia women's basketball finalizes coaching staff
- Ayla Guzzardo is the head coach
- New members added to support the team
- Changes aim to enhance team performance
Georgia women's basketball finalizes staff. Who is joining Ayla Guzzardo?
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) brings the ball up the court against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) sets a screen for Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) as Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) drives to the basket against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0), Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) and Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) react March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Georgia Bulldogs women’s basketball team huddles March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) drives toward the basket as Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) attempts a 3-pointer against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) reaches for a loose ball March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) shoots the basketball against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) shoots a fast-break layup against Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) high-fives Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) brings the ball up the court against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22) reacts after Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) is fouled March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) looks to pass the basketball as Virginia forward Adeang Ring (8) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33), Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) and Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) reach for a rebound March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) and Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) react in pain after colliding while going for a rebound March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Virginia forward Caitlin Weimar (12) defends a shot attempted by Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson reacts March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson watches her team compete against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) reacts during the final seconds of regulation March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) attempts a last-second shot in regulation defended by Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) during March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) drives to the basket against Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) during overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) and Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) react during overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) defends a shot attempted by Virginia forward Sa’Myah Smith (5) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22), Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) and Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) reach for a loose ball March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) and Virginia forward Sa’Myah Smith (5) collide while chasing a loose ball as Georgia forward Miyah Verse (4) watches March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) reacts toward the end of overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) reacts March 21, 2026 after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs in a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) reacts March 21, 2026 after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs in a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball team celebrates with their fans after upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate after upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Virginia guard Paris Clark (1) hugs Virginia guard Jillian Brown (4) after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) brings the ball up the court against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
1 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) brings the ball up the court against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
2 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) sets a screen for Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) as Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
3 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) drives to the basket against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
4 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0), Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) and Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) react March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
5 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
The Georgia Bulldogs women’s basketball team huddles March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
6 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) reacts after making a 3-pointer against the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
7 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) drives toward the basket as Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
8 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) attempts a 3-pointer against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
9 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) reaches for a loose ball March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
10 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) shoots the basketball against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
11 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) shoots a fast-break layup against Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) high-fives Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
13 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) brings the ball up the court against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
14 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22) reacts after Virginia guard Kymora Johnson (21) is fouled March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
15 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) looks to pass the basketball as Virginia forward Adeang Ring (8) defends March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
16 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33), Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) and Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) reach for a rebound March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) and Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) react in pain after colliding while going for a rebound March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
18 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Virginia forward Caitlin Weimar (12) defends a shot attempted by Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
19 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson reacts March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia head coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson watches her team compete against the Virginia Cavaliers March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
21 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Trinity Turner (0) reacts during the final seconds of regulation March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) attempts a last-second shot in regulation defended by Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) during March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Virginia forward Tabitha Amanze (7) drives to the basket against Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) during overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) and Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) react during overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Virginia Cavaliers at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) defends a shot attempted by Virginia forward Sa’Myah Smith (5) March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
26 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Vera Ojenuwa (22), Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) and Georgia guard Rylie Theuerkauf (14) reach for a loose ball March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
27 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Dani Carnegie (3) and Virginia forward Sa’Myah Smith (5) collide while chasing a loose ball as Georgia forward Miyah Verse (4) watches March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Virginia guard Romi Levy (23) reacts toward the end of overtime March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game against the Georgia Bulldogs at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
29 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia forward Mia Woolfolk (33) reacts March 21, 2026 after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs in a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
30 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Georgia guard Savannah Henderson (2) reacts March 21, 2026 after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs in a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
31 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
The Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball team celebrates with their fans after upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
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Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
The Virginia Cavaliers celebrate after upsetting the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
33 / 33
Photos from Georgia women's basketball NCAA Tournament opener against Virginia
Virginia guard Paris Clark (1) hugs Virginia guard Jillian Brown (4) after the Virginia Cavaliers upset the Georgia Bulldogs March 21, 2026 during a First Round NCAA March Madness game at Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
Georgia women's basketball has begun its reconstruction under the guise of the Ayla Guzzardo era and four seems to be the lucky number.
The new head coach, fourth in program history, has already recruited four players from the transfer portal, including two from McNeese State, one from Purdue and one from Wake Forest.
She's also hired four assistant coaches: Kenneth Lee, Jr., Justin Payne, Ronneka Robertson and Amber Gregg.
Lee was named an associate head coach and the defensive coordinator, while Payne was named an associate head coach and the offensive coordinator. Robertson and Gregg will work as assistant coaches and recruiting coordinators alongside Bri Patton.
Georgia released the salaries for most the coaches to the Athens Banner-Herald under an open records request. As previously reported, Guzzardo will be paid $600,000 annually. Lee will make $245,000 a year, Gregg will be paid $180,000 and Robertson $125,000.
The previous staff pay heading into last season included $1.03 million a year for coach Katie Abrahamson-Henderson and three assistant coaches each making at least $215,000 per season.
Lee, Robertson and Guzzardo go way back. The pair followed Guzzardo from Southeastern Louisiana — where they engineered four-straight winning seasons, two regular season conference championships, a tournament championship and an NCAA Tournament berth — to McNeese State — where the trio engineered the best single-season turnaround with a 19-win improvement, taking the Cowgirls from 10-21 in 2024-25 to 29-6 in 2025-26.
Prior to their time with Guzzardo, Lee had stints at Brusly High School in Hammond, La., and Ponchatoula High School. Roberston spent time at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community and East Central Community College in Decatur, Miss., as well as Kentwood High School in Louisiana.
Robertson coached two-time Southland Conference Defensive Player of the Year Jen Pierre and 2023 Southland Conference Tournament MVP Haley Giaratano.
Guzzardo nabbed Payne from the head coaching role at Nicholls State (a Division 1 school in the Southland Conference) and Gregg from an assistant coaching role at UTSA.
Payne led the Colonels to their best finish since 2018-19 and their first ever NCAA Tournament win on any side. Prior to taking over at his alma mater, Payne had a four-season stint as the head coach at Georgia Southwestern and spent eight seasons as an assistant at Nicholls State.
Prior to joining the staff at her alma mater, Gregg spent six seasons at Louisiana, working with the Sun Belt 2019 Freshmen of the Year selection, Brandi Williams. She was a director of player development for boys in Austin, Texas, as well between the under-17 team and the elite program.
Patton is one of two who were retained from Katie Abrahamson-Henderson's staff, including the executive director of basketball operations and administration, Megan Herboth.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: A look at the names, salaries of Georgia WBB's new assistant coaches
Q&A
Who are the new staff members joining Georgia women's basketball?
The finalized staff includes several new members whose names and roles have been announced alongside Ayla Guzzardo.
What is Ayla Guzzardo's role with Georgia women's basketball?
Ayla Guzzardo serves as the head coach for Georgia women's basketball, leading the team's strategy and development.
What changes were made to the Georgia women's basketball coaching staff?
The coaching staff underwent significant changes with the addition of new assistants and support roles to strengthen the team's coaching capabilities.
How will the new coaching staff impact Georgia women's basketball?
The new coaching staff is expected to bring fresh strategies and insights, aiming to improve the team's performance in the upcoming season.
