October 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball
Curry among 20 coaches recognized by Her Hoop Stats ahead of her debut season in Tampa.
TAMPA, Fla., October 29, 2026 – The University of South Florida women's basketball head coach Kristy Curry has been named to the 20-person preseason watch list for the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award, Her Hoop Stats announced Thursday.
Curry, who enters her first season leading the Bulls, is one of two coaches from the American Conference on a list that spans 12 conferences. Now in its fourth year, the award is named for the longtime Harvard head coach, who won 630 games over a 40-year career.
Curry was named the seventh head coach in program history on March 24, 2026, after 13 seasons at Alabama. She brings a 554-322 (.632) career record over 27 seasons as a head coach, with 16 20-win seasons and 21 postseason appearances (14 NCAA, 7 WNIT). She is one of 10 coaches in women's basketball history with at least 100 wins at three different programs.
At Alabama, Curry went 245-173 and led the Crimson Tide to the postseason in each of her final six seasons, including 20-win campaigns in each of the last five. Her 2025-26 team went 24-11 and reached the NCAA Tournament's second round as a No. 6 seed. Before Alabama, she went 130-98 at Texas Tech, where her team upset No. 1 Baylor in 2011.
Curry's career took off at Purdue, where she went 179-51 (.778) and led the Boilermakers to the 2001 NCAA championship game in just her second season. Her Purdue teams also reached the Elite Eight twice, the Sweet 16 four times and won five Big Ten titles.
She inherits a USF program that has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and won four conference titles since 2015.
Award Schedule
Her Hoop Stats will trim the list to 10 for its midseason watch list in January, name five finalists in March, and announce the winner around the Final Four. Coaches are evaluated on the full season, including postseason play, as well as factors such as recruiting, preseason expectations, injuries, and tactical coaching.
Up Next
The Bulls open the 2026-27 season at 5 p.m. on November 2 against Furman in the Yuengling Center.
Tickets
Fans can purchase women's basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
Follow South Florida Women's Basketball
Be sure to follow South Florida women's basketball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
About South Florida Women's Basketball
Kristy Curry was named the seventh South Florida women's basketball head coach in program history. 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 13 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and captured the 2008-09 WNIT championship
– #GoBulls –
Curry, who enters her first season leading the Bulls, is one of two coaches from the American Conference on a list that spans 12 conferences. Now in its fourth year, the award is named for the longtime Harvard head coach, who won 630 games over a 40-year career.
Curry was named the seventh head coach in program history on March 24, 2026, after 13 seasons at Alabama. She brings a 554-322 (.632) career record over 27 seasons as a head coach, with 16 20-win seasons and 21 postseason appearances (14 NCAA, 7 WNIT). She is one of 10 coaches in women's basketball history with at least 100 wins at three different programs.
At Alabama, Curry went 245-173 and led the Crimson Tide to the postseason in each of her final six seasons, including 20-win campaigns in each of the last five. Her 2025-26 team went 24-11 and reached the NCAA Tournament's second round as a No. 6 seed. Before Alabama, she went 130-98 at Texas Tech, where her team upset No. 1 Baylor in 2011.
Curry's career took off at Purdue, where she went 179-51 (.778) and led the Boilermakers to the 2001 NCAA championship game in just her second season. Her Purdue teams also reached the Elite Eight twice, the Sweet 16 four times and won five Big Ten titles.
She inherits a USF program that has made eight NCAA Tournament appearances and won four conference titles since 2015.
Award Schedule
Her Hoop Stats will trim the list to 10 for its midseason watch list in January, name five finalists in March, and announce the winner around the Final Four. Coaches are evaluated on the full season, including postseason play, as well as factors such as recruiting, preseason expectations, injuries, and tactical coaching.
Up Next
The Bulls open the 2026-27 season at 5 p.m. on November 2 against Furman in the Yuengling Center.
Tickets
Fans can purchase women's basketball tickets by calling 1-800-GoBulls or at USFBullsTix.com.
Follow South Florida Women's Basketball
Be sure to follow South Florida women's basketball on social media (X / Instagram / Facebook) and visit GoUSFBulls.com for the most up-to-date information.
About South Florida Women's Basketball
Kristy Curry was named the seventh South Florida women's basketball head coach in program history. 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 13 20-win seasons, two WNIT Final Four appearances, and captured the 2008-09 WNIT championship
– #GoBulls –
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