Women’s basketball coverage remains at an all-time high, as they dominate on and off the court.

As the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) March Madness continues this month, the top players across the country have shined bright as they compete for the championship. While it has been essential to highlight these young athletes, knowing who is coaching on the sidelines is equally as important.

Here are five female college coaches responsible for leading these teams and student athletes to great heights.

Tomekia Reed

Tomekia Reed is the head coach of the women’s basketball team at Jackson State University. She has led her team for five seasons since assuming the title in 2018. Under her leadership, JSU’s Lady Tigers took home their ninth win for the SWAC Women’s Basketball Tournament Championship. In addition to her team’s accomplishments, Reed achieved high status as a coach. She is a three-time SWAC Coach of The Year and two-time BOXTOROW National HBCU Coach of the Year. 

Niele Ivey

As an alumna of Notre Dame, coaching the women’s basketball team came full circle for the former team player. Niele Ivey assisted the team with its first NCAA championship win in 2001. Then, in 2018, she returned as an assistant coach, and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish won another tournament. Now, Ivey leads the team’s current roster to victory as the head coach. Under her guidance, the team remains in the ranking of the NCAA Tournament.  

Sydney Carter

As assistant coach of the University of Texas women’s basketball team, Sydney Carter knows what it takes to be victorious. The retired WNBA player is also a former NCAA champion, who played basketball overseas. In addition to her assistant coach role, she is the director of player development. While molding champions, she also aids in building professional athletes. In addition to her coaching, her stellar fashion statements seen from the sidelines have made her an Internet sensation with a following of 1.3 million on Instagram.

Felisha Legette-Jack 

Felisha Legette-Jack is the head coach of Syracuse University’s women’s basketball team. As a proud alumna of the university, her commitment to leading the program earned her the Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year honor. She made history as the first Syracuse coach to earn that title.

Katrina Merriweather

Katrina Merriweather returned to her alma mater in 2023 as head coach of the University of Cincinnati women’s basketball team. Her résumé includes improving two programs and being present at the NCAA Tournaments. Since returning, Merriweather has continued to make headway coaching the Cincinnati Bearcats. One of her biggest accomplishments following her arrival was leading the program to its first 20-win season in more than a decade in the 2022-2023 season.