Coaching is a critical component in shaping teams, developing talent, and leading athletes to success. While women’s basketball has experienced remarkable growth and recognition in recent years, one of the driving forces behind this evolution has been the level of leadership among coaches. These women not only excel in developing their teams’ technical skills, but also serve as mentors and powerful role models for the next generation of athletes.

Coaches, athletes, and fans can learn a lot from the leadership in women’s college basketball right now. Here are some of my favorite coaches and thinkers across one of the fastest-growing sports in the country.

Kara Lawson – Head coach, Duke

Coach Lawson’s resume speaks for itself. She played for the legendary Pat Summitt at the University of Tennessee, racking up numerous accolades as a standout for the Lady Vols. Lawson is a WNBA champion, Olympic gold medalist, and spent time coaching with the Boston Celtics before being named the head coach at Duke in 2020.

Beyond her impressive playing career, Lawson has become a respected figure in collegiate athletics for her dedication to empowering her players and preparing them for life beyond basketball. Her leadership philosophies often circulate on social media, with one of my favorite clips being a practice session where she discusses the importance of “learning to handle hard better.” As she puts it: “Make yourself a person that handles hard well. Not someone that’s waiting for the easy.”

It’s advice that resonates far beyond sports. We often find ourselves waiting for things to get easier, but in reality, they never do. The key is learning to navigate the tough moments better — because the easy path? It’s a looooong wait.

Cori Close – Head coach, UCLA

I’ve been following Coach Close for a few years now, and one thing is clear — she’s known for setting incredibly high standards and holding her athletes accountable to their personal growth and development. Team first. Always.

UCLA’s top 5 ranking this year is no accident. The team has made smart recruitment decisions and dominated the transfer portal, building a commanding offensive lineup that’s a tough matchup for any team. And with Cori Close steering the ship, you’ve got a formula for success.

What stands out about Close is her pursuit of perfection, but with a nuanced approach. She doesn’t demand flawlessness from her players — but she gets the most out of every opportunity, squeezing every last bit of potential from her team. And the good news for her is that she’s got a roster that fully believes in her vision and leadership. Watch out for the Bruins. They’re big time.

Tara VanDerveer – Former head coach, Stanford

Coach VanDerveer has a resume so extensive, it’s impossible to capture in a few lines. She has dedicated 45 years to coaching women’s college basketball, including an astounding 38 seasons at Stanford. She’s a true legend in the sport and one of the most respected figures in college athletics.

Years ago, I came across an interview with Coach VanDerveer in which she shared eight key rules for leading a team. I made a note of them in my notebook, and I thought they were worth revisiting here:

1. Hire the right people.

2. Have a clear vision for your players and provide them with the tools to succeed.

3. Don’t seek the spotlight for yourself.

4. Outwork your players.

5. You can’t have 15 different personalities.

6. Every behavior communicates something.

7. If your senior leaders are unhappy, your whole team will be.

8. Master the art of the controlled meltdown.

Coaches — take note. One of the most powerful things you can do to build a culture of trust and earn respect from your team is showing up consistently for your players, especially when it’s hardest.

Kim Caldwell, Dawn Staley, Courtney Banghart, Carrie Moore — there are so many incredible women coaching in college basketball. While March Madness shines the brightest light on Division I programs, there are exceptional leaders making a difference at every level of the sport.

To inspire the next generation of women’s basketball stars, here are some stats from my own memorable 8th grade basketball career:

Total points scored per season: 11

Rebounds: 0

Foul Shots: 0-for-2

Points scored in the opponent’s basket: 2

Coach Gromacki — I have four years of eligibility remaining, and I’d like to announce my recruitment is open!

Carry on.

Jess Lapachinski is an athletic administrator and sport performance professional who lives in the Pioneer Valley. Her column runs the second Monday of each month. Jess can be reached at jl.victoryLap@gmail.com