The Most Famous Female Basketball Coach, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the female basketball coach you think is the most famous!

Updated on May 4, 2024 07:05

In the dynamic world of women's basketball, the influence of a skilled coach cannot be overstated. From crafting winning strategies to mentoring players both on and off the court, these coaches leave an indelible mark on the game. Recognizing their impact helps fans and aspiring athletes understand the fine nuances of coaching and the pivotal role these professionals play in shaping the sport. By engaging with a ranking system where insights and preferences converge, enthusiasts are offered a unique opportunity to voice their opinions on who stands out in the realm of female basketball coaching. This not only adds to the thrill of discussion among the community but also emphasizes the appreciation for these coaches' dedication and strategic acumen. Each vote cast is a nod to their professional excellence and a reflection of their reputation in the sports world.

Who Is the Most Famous Female Basketball Coach?

1

91
votes
Blueag9 · Public domain

Pat Summitt

Pat Summitt

She is widely regarded as the greatest women's basketball coach of all time, winning eight national championships and compiling a record of 1,098-208 over her career at the University of Tennessee. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2000.
Pat Summitt was one of the most successful coaches in the history of women's college basketball. She was known for her remarkable leadership, passion, and dedication to the game. Summitt's coaching career spanned over four decades and was characterized by her relentless pursuit of excellence.

Total Wins: 1,098

NCAA Championships: 8

Final Four Appearances: 18

SEC Regular Season Titles: 16

SEC Tournament Titles: 16
Pat Summitt in other rankings
- Position 5 of 10 in Most famous college coach
- Position 5 of 10 in Most successful coaches of all time
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous college basketball coach
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous celebrity from Tennessee
2

30
votes
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff · Public domain

Geno Auriemma

While not a female coach himself, Auriemma has established himself as one of the most successful coaches in women's basketball history. He has led the University of Connecticut to 11 national championships and has a career record of 1,098-142. He has also coached the United States women's national basketball team to two Olympic gold medals.
Geno Auriemma in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous college coach
3

22
votes

Sphilbrick · CC BY-SA 3.0

Tara VanDerveer

VanDerveer has won two national championships and has a career record of 1,125-255 over her coaching career at Stanford University and the University of Idaho. She has also coached the United States women's national basketball team to a gold medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics.
4

17
votes

Caesarscott · CC BY-SA 3.0

Kim Mulkey

Mulkey has won three national championships and has a career record of 631-104 over her coaching career at Baylor University and Louisiana Tech University. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2020.
5

39
votes

Sphilbrick · CC BY-SA 3.0

Dawn Staley

Staley has led the University of South Carolina to two national championships and has a career record of 491-196 over her coaching career at Temple University, the University of South Carolina, and the United States women's national basketball team. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013.
6

6
votes

Sphilbrick · CC BY-SA 3.0

Muffet McGraw

McGraw has won two national championships and has a career record of 936-294 over her coaching career at the University of Notre Dame and Lehigh University. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011.
7

5
votes

C. Vivian Stringer - Stringer has led three different schools

Cheyney State University, the University of Iowa, and Rutgers University - to the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. She has a career record of 1,091-430 and was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.
8

5
votes

Sphilbrick · CC BY-SA 3.0

Sylvia Hatchell

Hatchell has won one national championship and has a career record of 1,023-405 over her coaching career at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Francis Marion University. She was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2004.
9

9
votes

Aurelio Jose Barrera, Los Angeles Times · CC BY 4.0

Cheryl Miller

While Miller is best known for her playing career, she also had success as a coach at the collegiate level. She has a career record of 70-42 over her coaching career at California State University, Los Angeles and Langston University. She was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.
10

5
votes

Leon Barmore

While Barmore is not a female coach, he had a significant impact on women's basketball as the longtime assistant coach of Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee. He was a key part of the team's success during the 1980s and 1990s, helping the Lady Vols win six national championships. He was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2003.

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Ranking factors for famous female basketball coach

Coaching Record

The success of a coach can be measured by their overall win-loss record, postseason performance, and championships won.
Impact on the game

Coaches who have made significant contributions to the basketball community in terms of their innovations in the game or by inspiring others can be considered for this ranking.
Legacy

Coaches who have left a lasting impact on the programs they have led and have left a legacy that still resonates with people today.
Popularity

Coaches who are well-known and widely recognized in the basketball world and beyond.
Awards and recognitions

Awards such as Coach of the Year, Hall of Fame Inductions, and other recognitions can be considered in determining their fame.
Media Presence

Coaches who have had a strong media presence or have been involved in mainstream media campaigns can also be taken into account.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most famous female basketball coach. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or coach is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

5587 views
161 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each coach once every 24 hours. The rank of each coach is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

More information on most famous female basketball coach

Background Information: Women's basketball has come a long way since it was first introduced in the late 1800s. Today, the sport has gained worldwide recognition and has seen the rise of many talented female athletes and coaches. In recent years, female coaches have been making strides in the field, breaking barriers and paving the way for future generations of women in sports. One of the most notable female basketball coaches in history is Pat Summitt. Summitt is widely regarded as one of the greatest coaches in the history of college basketball, male or female. She led the University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers to eight national championships and a record 1,098 wins during her 38-year career. Summitt was also an advocate for women’s sports and fought for gender equality in athletics. Other notable female basketball coaches include Geno Auriemma of the University of Connecticut, who has led the Huskies to 11 national championships, and Dawn Staley of the University of South Carolina, who is a three-time Olympic gold medalist and has led the Gamecocks to two national championships. These coaches have not only made significant contributions to the sport of women’s basketball but have also inspired countless young women to pursue their dreams and break down barriers in the world of sports.