APTOPIX NCAA Illinois Vanderbilt Basketball

Vanderbilt head coach Shea Ralph celebrates with center Aalyah Del Rosario, right, after winning against Illinois in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Monday, March 23, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn.

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Shea Ralph named AP women’s basketball Coach of the Year after Vanderbilt’s 29-5 season

Shea Ralph named AP women’s basketball Coach of the Year after Vanderbilt’s 29-5 season

Shea Ralph of Vanderbilt has been named The Associated Press women's basketball Coach of the Year. Ralph led the Commodores to the most successful season in school history, finishing 29-5. The team returned just one starter and tied for second in the Southeastern Conference. They earned a 2-seed in the NCAA Tournament and reached the Sweet 16. Ralph received 23 votes from the 31-member national media panel. She is the first Vanderbilt coach to win the award, which started in 1994-95.