UCLA Signs WBB Coach Cori Close to New Contract Through 2029-30 Season

After leading UCLA women’s basketball to the program’s first NCAA title in April, Cori Close has signed a new contract with UCLA through the 2029-30 season.

“We are extremely proud of what Cori has accomplished in leading our women’s basketball program,” UCLA’s Alice and Nahum Lanier Family Director of Athletics Martin Jarmond said, per a press release from UCLA Athletics. “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 developing student-athletes into the best versions of themselves. Cori exemplifies True Bruin Values and we couldn’t be more excited about the future under her leadership.”

Apr 5, 2026; Phoenix, AZ, USA; UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close cuts down the net after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Close was named the 2025-26 Big Ten Coach of the Year and swept the national coach awards for the 2024-25 season. She led the Bruins to back-to-back Final Four appearances in the last two seasons and has made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances as UCLA’s head coach.

“I am so grateful to Chancellor Frenk and Martin Jarmond for the opportunity to continue teaching and mentoring the young women who choose UCLA,” said Close. “I love being here in Westwood, and I am so excited for what the future holds. I would also like to say thank you to our coaches, student-athletes, support staff, alumni, fans and donors for their belief in our UNCOMMON mission. We would not be where we are today without their support and their commitment to our values. It fills me with such joy to share this with our village, and I hope we can continue to make our Bruin faithful proud.”

Close coached six players this season that went on to be drafted into the WNBA, which set a league record for most players drafted from the same school in the same draft class.