NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director, has extended the contract of fourth-year women’s basketball head coach Shea Ralph, it was announced Monday.
“I look forward to continuing this journey with Shea Ralph, and I’m delighted for our student-athletes, supporters, and the Vanderbilt community,” said Lee. “As an athlete and rising star in the coaching ranks, Shea helped shape the tremendous growth of women’s basketball now evident across the country. At Vanderbilt, we see that passion every day in her commitment to creating a winning culture, teaching the game, and mentoring young women. She shares our desire to compete at the very highest level, and we are unreservedly excited about our future.”
The seven-time NCAA champion has revived the Commodore women’s basketball program during her first four seasons at the helm. Vanderbilt returned to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 10 seasons during the 2023-24 campaign, with the Dores posting a 23-10 overall record. Last season’s 23 wins were the most for the program since 2011-12, while Vandy collected its first NCAA Tournament win in 11 years. The 23 victories also marked an 11-win improvement from the previous season, tied for the largest win improvement from one season to the next in program history.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead and serve our women’s basketball program here at Vanderbilt University,” said Ralph. “It has been an incredibly fun and inspiring three seasons of growth as we march towards our ultimate vision of a sustained championship culture on and off the court. I’d like to extend my sincere gratitude to Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Dr. Candice Lee for their unwavering support and belief in me, especially as the landscape of college athletics continues to evolve. Because of their commitment and partnership, we are able to offer the best and most holistic student-athlete experience in the country. This includes a top-tier education, incredible facilities, and the chance to compete in the SEC. What an amazing time to be a Vanderbilt Commodore.
“To my players and my staff, thank you for your trust and investment in me. To our awesome fans, donors, alumni, and Vanderbilt community, we appreciate all that you do for us! Let’s keep working, Commodore Nation. The best is yet to come. Anchor Down!”
Under Ralph’s direction, five student-athletes have earned All-SEC honors. Ciaja Harbison (’23) and Iyana Moore (’24) have been named All-SEC second team, while Jordyn Cambridge became the only Commodore to earn three All-SEC defensive team selections. Additionally, four freshmen have earned 10 SEC Freshman of the Week accolades, which includes Khamil Pierre’s school-record five selections in 2023-24. Vanderbilt women’s basketball has had 17 selections to the SEC Academic Team and 12 student-athletes named to the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Roll during Ralph’s first three seasons.
The Commodores went out and proved the prognosticators wrong in 2023-24, as Vandy finished sixth in the SEC after being picked 13th in the preseason SEC coaches poll and 14th in the preseason SEC media poll. The Dores went 9-7 in SEC play and won a program-record six road SEC games. The nine SEC wins were the most for Vanderbilt since the 2012-13 campaign. The Commodores earned the No. 6 seed in the 2024 SEC Tournament, which was the program’s highest seed at the event since 2011.
Vanderbilt’s at-large bid to the 2024 NCAA Tournament marked the second time in Ralph’s three seasons that she has led the Commodores to the postseason. Vandy took on Columbia in the First Four round in Blacksburg, Virginia, and captured a 72-68 win to post the program’s first NCAA Tournament victory in 11 years.
In her inaugural season in 2021-22, Ralph led Vanderbilt to its first postseason appearance since 2014. The Commodores reached the third round of the 2022 Women’s National Invitation Tournament, their longest postseason run since 2013. Vanderbilt also recorded its first SEC Tournament victory in six years that season when it defeated Texas A&M 85-69 in the opening round.
Ralph is 51-48 during her time at Vanderbilt, while she is 33-17 at Memorial Gymnasium. Her 51 wins are the third-most by Vanderbilt women’s basketball head coach through their first three seasons.
A seven-time national champion as a student-athlete or coach, Ralph arrived at Vanderbilt on April 13, 2021, after spending the previous 13 seasons as an assistant coach alongside Geno Auriemma at UConn. While serving as a coach at her alma mater, Ralph helped guide the Huskies to 12 Final Four appearances and six national championships, including a collegiate record four consecutive titles from 2013-16.
In all, Ralph worked with 21 WNBA draft picks at UConn, including nine top-five picks and three No. 1 overall selections: Tina Charles, Maya Moore, and Breanna Stewart.
As one of the most celebrated student-athletes in women’s basketball history, Ralph led UConn to a national championship in 2000, where she was named the NCAA Women’s Final Four Most Outstanding Player. In 2000, Ralph was an All-American, the Big East Player of the Year, won the Honda Award—presented to the premier female student-athlete in 12 collegiate sports—and was selected the “Sports Illustrated for Women” Player of the Year. She was selected by the Utah Starzz in the 2001 WNBA Draft. However, she was unable to pursue a professional career due to a knee injury.
Vanderbilt women’s basketball season tickets and mini-plans are now on sale. Both can be purchased by clicking the link here.
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