15 Greatest Female Basketball Coaches Of All Time

• Coaching Career: 1974-2012
• NCAA Trophies: 8 (1987, 1989, 1991, 1996-1998, 2007, 2008)
• Coached Teams: Tennessee Lady Vols basketball

Nicknamed "Queen Pat," Pat Summitt led the University of Tennessee Lady Vols to an astonishing eight titles, making them one of the most successful teams in basketball history.

Her extraordinary coaching career saw her amass an unmatched record of 1,098 wins in NCAA Division I basketball.

Her dedication and tough-love approach earned her induction into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.

• Coaching Career: 1978-Present
• NCAA Trophies: 3 (1990, 1992, 2021)
• Coached Teams: Idaho Vandals, Ohio State, Stanford Cardinals women's basketball

Tara VanDerveer, one of the greatest female basketball coaches of all time, a legend who has rewritten the record books and inspired generations of players.

A staggering 1,186 wins (the most in NCAA women's basketball history) and 13 Final Four appearances paint a vivid picture of her dominance.

From guiding Stanford to its first national title in 1990 to shaping future stars like Jennifer Azzi and Candice Wiggins, VanDerveer's impact transcends wins and championships.

• Coaching Career: 1985-Present
• NCAA Trophies: 4 (2005, 2012, 2019, 2023)
• Coached Teams: Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters, Baylor Bears, LSU Tigers women's basketball

Renowned for her strategic brilliance and leadership, Kim Mulkey boasts an impressive coaching career. With three NCAA Championships to her name, she guided the Baylor Lady Bears to unprecedented success.

Mulkey boasts a staggering .861 winning percentage, meaning her teams almost always dominate the court. The Texas native started young, winning a national championship as a player and later as an assistant coach.

• Coaching Career: 1974-2019
• NCAA Trophies: 1 (1994)
• Coached Teams: Tennessee Lady Vols, Francis Marion, North Carolina women's basketball

Sylvia Hatchell stands tall among the greatest coaches the women's basketball world has ever seen.

One national championship may glisten, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. About 1,023 wins, three trips to the Final Four, and countless inspired players tell a bigger story.

Her coaching prowess earned her numerous accolades, including being named the Naismith College Coach of the Year twice in 1994 and 2006.

• Coaching Career: 1988-Present
• WNBA Trophies: 4 (2011, 2013, 2015, 2017)
• Coached Teams: La Salle, George Washington, Indiana State women's basketball, Charlotte Sting, Cleveland Rockers, Detroit Shock, Minnesota Lynx

Renowned for her exceptional coaching prowess, Cheryl Reeve's list of accolades is nothing short of impressive.

As the head coach of the Minnesota Lynx in the WNBA, she orchestrated a remarkable dynasty, clinching four championships during her tenure.

Reeve boasts the highest winning percentage of any WNBA coach in history, leaving opponents in the dust with her strategic mind and unwavering determination.

• Coaching Career: 1992-Present
• NCAA Trophies: 1 (2006)
• Coached Teams: Pima CC, Kent State, Iowa State, Ball State, Minnesota, Maryland women's basketball

Known for her exceptional leadership and coaching prowess, Brenda Frese's achievements speak volumes.

As the head coach of the Maryland women's basketball team, she guided the Terrapins to remarkable success, claiming the NCAA Championship in 2006.

With about 620 career wins, she has racked up three Final Four appearances, proving her Terps are consistent contenders year after year.

• Coaching Career: 1969-1993
• Championships: 2 (1970 CIAW national, 1978 AIAW national)
• Coached Teams: Cal State Fullerton, UCLA Bruins women's basketball

Billie Moore, a name synonymous with grit, determination, and pure love for the game, stands tall among the greatest female basketball coaches of all time.

Moore is recognized as a master motivator, capable of igniting a fire in her players and pushing them to reach their full potential.

Her coaching prowess extends beyond the collegiate level, having guided the United States women's basketball team to a silver medal in the 1976 Montreal Olympics.

• Coaching Career: 1977-2020
• NCAA Trophies: 2 (2001, 2018)
• Coached Teams: Archbishop Carroll HS, St. Joseph's, Lehigh Mountain, Notre Dame women's basketball

Muffet McGraw, a coaching legend, with her signature white sneakers and fiery spirit, has carved her name in the sport's history as one of the greatest of all time.

Her illustrious career with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish is highlighted by two NCAA Championships, solidifying her reputation as a coaching luminary.

With an astonishing win rate of 76.2%, McGraw stands as one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history.

• Coaching Career: 1998-2018
• Coached Teams: Detroit Shock (WNBA), Texas Legends (NBA G League), Sacramento Kings (NBA)

Nancy Lieberman has had a coaching journey nothing short of extraordinary. She dominated college basketball and even became the first woman to play in a men's professional league.

She became the first female head coach of a men's professional team, leading the Texas Legends to the playoffs.

Beyond the court, her impact on breaking gender barriers has inspired generations, solidifying her legacy as one of the greatest mentors and leaders in the world of basketball.

• Coaching Career: 1989-2015
• WNBA Trophies: 1 (2004)
• Coached Teams: Old Dominion, East Carolina, Philadelphia Rage women's basketball, Indiana Fever, Charlotte Sting, Seattle Storm, New York Liberty, Seton Hall, Connecticut Sun

Anne Donovan was a giant in the world of basketball, leaving her footprints on both the court and the sidelines.

Donovan's influence extended to the professional ranks, where she led the Seattle Storm to a WNBA Championship in 2004.

She won a national championship with Old Dominion University, two Olympic gold medals as a player, and was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1995.

• Coaching Career: 1993-2018
• NCAA Trophies: 1 (1999)
• Coached Teams: Tennessee, Kentucky, Purdue, Florida, Vanderbilt women's basketball, Orlando Miracle

Renowned for her coaching prowess, Carolyn Peck has had a career adorned with remarkable achievements.

In 1999, she made history as the first African American woman to lead a team to a national championship, coaching Purdue University to victory.

Her coaching acumen extended beyond college hoops, guiding the Orlando Miracle to the WNBA playoffs in 2001.

• Coaching Career: 1972-2022
• Coached Teams: Cheyney State, Iowa, Rutgers women's basketball

C. Vivian Stringer stands tall as one of the greatest female basketball coaches of all time, leaving an indelible mark on the sport.

Although she has not clinched an NCAA Championship, her incredible leadership has guided teams to four Final Four appearances, three Big East regular-season championships.

Stringer boasts an impressive list of achievements, including about 1,055 career wins, making her one of the few coaches in the exclusive 1,000-win club.

Stringer was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009, she received numerous awards, including the Naismith College Coach of the Year and the Wade Trophy.

• Coaching Career: 1977-2011
• Coached Teams: Virginia Cavaliers women's basketball

Debbie Ryan, a true pioneer in women's basketball coaching, stands as one of the greatest of all time.

Debbie started her journey not as a coach, but as a player. She played point guard for Ursinus College for four years. Ryan led the Cavaliers for 34 years, amassing an impressive record and earning a spot in the elite coaching echelon.

Notably, she guided Virginia to three consecutive NCAA Final Fours in the early '90s and consistently secured tournament berths, showcasing her strategic brilliance.

• Coaching Career: 1997-Present
• Coached Teams: Seattle Pacific, Chico State, Pacific Tigers, Utah Utes women's basketball

Lynne Roberts might not be a household name like Pat Summitt, but she has quietly carved her own path to greatness in the world of women's basketball.

While championships are often the golden measure, Roberts' journey is paved with wins, resilience, and a knack for elevating programs to unexpected heights.

Her 350-279 career record and two conference Coach of the Year titles are impressive, but it is her heart and dedication that truly set her apart.

• Coaching Career: 2014-Present
• WNBA Trophies: 2 (2022, 2023)
• Coached Teams: San Antonio Spurs, Las Vegas Aces

More than just a former WNBA player, Becky Hammon is carving her own path as a coach, already racking up impressive accolades and proving she is a force to be reckoned with.

As an assistant coach for the Spurs, Becky became the first woman to coach in an NBA game and the first to be on an NBA Finals coaching staff.

As head coach of the Las Vegas Aces, she led them to a WNBA championship in her rookie season, a feat unheard of in the league.