TAMPA, Fla., October 23, 2025 — University of South Florida CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins on Thursday named associate head coach Michele Woods-Baxter the interim head coach of the USF women's basketball program.
The announcement follows the departure of longtime head coach Jose Fernandez to pursue a coaching opportunity in the WNBA.
"I am pleased to share that Michele Woods-Baxter, who has been an integral part of our program's success over the past 17 seasons, will serve as the interim head coach of our women's basketball program for the 2025-26 season, which tips off on November 3," said Rob Higgins. "Michele's experience and leadership will guide our student-athletes as they embrace a challenging schedule and compete for another American Conference championship."
Under coach Fernandez's leadership, USF concluded the 2024-25 season by capturing its fourth American Conference championship with a 23-11 overall record, winning the American Postseason Tournament, and making its 10th NCAA Tournament appearance. Fernandez guided the Bulls to a No. 12 seed in the NCAA Tournament, marking the program's 14th consecutive 19-win season and 12th 20-win campaign. During his tenure, the Bulls built a storied tradition that included 19 postseason appearances and a 2009 WNIT championship.
"Women's Basketball Head Coach Jose Fernandez has informed me of his decision to pursue an opportunity to coach at the next level in the WNBA," Higgins added. "While this is a bittersweet moment for our program, it is a well-deserved opportunity for Jose to realize a professional dream, and we are incredibly proud of him."
Woods-Baxter joined the South Florida staff in August 2008 as an assistant coach and was elevated to associate head coach in 2013. During her tenure, she has helped lead the Bulls to nine 20-win seasons, 13 postseason appearances, and eight NCAA Tournament berths.
A proven player developer, Woods-Baxter has worked closely with USF's wing players and played a vital role in the growth of standout student-athletes such as Courtney Williams, the program's first All-American, along with Kitija Laksa and Maria Jespersen, both All-American honorees.
Her impact was especially evident during the 2020-21 campaign, the most successful in program history. Of the five Bulls who earned All-Conference honors that season, three were wing players under Woods-Baxter's guidance: Elena Tsineke (First Team), Sydni Harvey (Third Team), and Maria Alvarez (Co-Sixth Player of the Year). Harvey also earned American Conference Tournament Most Outstanding Player honors and joined Tsineke on the all-tournament team.
In 2021-22, Woods-Baxter continued to help Tsineke elevate her game as she earned First Team All-American Athletic Conference honors, was named to The American All-Tournament Team, and appeared on the Ann Meyers-Drysdale Award Watch List for the nation's top shooting guard.
Renowned for her international recruiting efforts, Woods-Baxter has been instrumental in shaping USF's global footprint. Since 2014, the Bulls have welcomed seven five-star international recruits to Tampa under her direction.
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ABOUT SOUTH FLORIDA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
South Florida women's basketball has built a storied tradition over the past 25 seasons, highlighted by 19 postseason tournament appearances and 10 NCAA Tournament berths. The program has achieved 12 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and captured the 2008-09 WNIT championship.
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