Vanderbilt locks in Shea Ralph after a Sweet 16 surge and AP coach of the year honor

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Vanderbilt women's basketball coach Shea Ralph has agreed to a contract extension following her fifth and best season yet in leading the Commodores to the Sweet 16 and earning AP Coach of the Year honors. Athletic director Candice Storey Lee announced the extension Wednesday. Lee noted Ralph was hired just after the university launched the Vandy United program to renovate athletic facilities as part of a commitment to compete at the highest levels. “She has delivered on that vision and is the right leader to keep elevating our women’s basketball program while inspiring our broader community as we set the standard for women’s athletics,” Lee said. "Her well-deserved recognition only reinforces what we see every day — she makes teams better, empowers women and brings people together.” Terms of Ralph’s extension were not announced by the school, which is a private university. Ralph led a team that returned only one starter to the most successful season in school history. Vanderbilt went 29-5, with 13 of those wins coming in the regular season against a rugged Southeastern Conference schedule. The Commodores finished tied for second in the conference, which matched the best finish in program history. They earned a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16. Average attendance at Memorial Gym also went up nearly 100% this season compared to the last full season before Ralph was hired. She has taken Vanderbilt to three straight NCAA Tournaments, ending the program's 10-year drought. “Shea Ralph exemplifies our commitment across the university to attract the most talented people who fit our culture and put them in an environment where they can succeed,” Chancellor Daniel Diermeier said. Ralph recruited All-American Mikayla Blakes, who was the Southeastern Conference player of the year, and SEC freshman of the year Aubrey Galvan. “When I arrived in Nashville, I said it felt like it was only the beginning of something incredible," Ralph said. “And as much growth as we’ve had, the best part of being at Vanderbilt is I still feel that way every day.” \\_ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up . AP women’s college basketball: and