USF women’s basketball lands veteran coach Kristy Curry in major hire

In a marked departure from more than a quarter century of USF women's basketball, the Bulls will have a head coach from outside of the program.

The Bulls hired veteran coach Kristy Curry from the University of Alabama to lead the program. She spent the last 13 seasons with the Crimson Tide and also led Purdue to the 2001 Final Four. Her most recent team went 24-11 and, as a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament, fell 69-68 to No. 3 seed Louisville in the second round.

"I'm thrilled to welcome Kristy Curry to our Bulls family as the leader of our outstanding women's basketball program," CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins said. "Kristy is a proven winner at the highest levels, with head coaching success across the Big Ten, Big 12, and SEC.

"She has guided her teams to the NCAA championship game and built an exceptional resume that includes 16 20-win seasons and 21 postseason appearances over 27 years as a head coach. I'm incredibly excited about the future of South Florida women's basketball under her leadership."

Curry got the nod over interim head coach Michele Woods-Baxter, even though she led USF to a 20-win season after longtime head coach Jose Fernandez resigned shortly before this season began. Woods-Baxter spent 17 seasons as an assistant coach at USF before taking the lead this season.

"I want to sincerely thank Michele Woods-Baxter for her nearly two decades of dedicated service to the University of South Florida," Higgins said.

"She has meant so much to this program and this community, and I know I speak for all of Bulls Nation in expressing our deep gratitude. Michele and her staff led with unwavering passion, integrity, and class, and their commitment through the 2025–26 season will have a lasting impact on everyone connected to South Florida women's basketball."

Although USF was remarkably consistent on Fernandez's watch, going to the NCAA tournament eight times, Curry's arrival could signal a change in the approach. Fernandez and Woods-Baxter relied heavily on international recruiting, while Curry likely will focus more on domestic players.

"I would like to thank Rob Higgins for the tremendous opportunity to lead a proud South Florida women's basketball program," Curry said.

"A strong foundation is in place, and I look forward to building on it as we pursue conference championships and NCAA Tournament success. Rob and the University's commitment to competing at the highest level—along with the clear vision and alignment at USF—are truly exceptional. I can't wait to meet Bulls Nation and experience a rocking Yuengling Center."

This will be Curry's fourth stop after coaching at Purdue, Texas Tech, and Alabama over 27 seasons. Her teams have a combined 14 NCAA appearances and seven in the WNIT.