ATLANTA, July 27th, 2023 – The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) has named the University of South Florida’s Jose Fernandez as the organization’s Vice President for the 2023-24 season.
“I am humbled and excited to serve the WBCA at the executive level,” said head coach Fernandez. “I have a great amount of respect for Danielle (Donehew) and what she has done for our game and coaches association. I look forward to working alongside Courtney and representing women’s basketball coaches at all levels.”
The association, which represents women’s basketball coaches at all levels of competition, welcomed its newest members during the board’s annual in-person summer meeting which was held July 20 at the Atlanta Airport Marriott Gateway hotel.
“Our 2023-24 WBCA Board of Directors is diverse, engaged, experienced and eager to address the challenges facing our association as we continue to navigate the post-pandemic world in which we live,” said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. “From determining how we can best continue to serve the membership effectively, efficiently, and economically to identifying new revenue streams, the board is working hard to provide strategic vision and tactical direction to my staff and me as we together strive to ensure the continuing success of the association.”
In his 23 seasons at the helm of USF women’s basketball, head coach Fernandez has recorded 11 20-win seasons while leading the program to 18 postseason tournament appearances, nine NCAA Tournament berths, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 400 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
Here is the complete 2023-24 WBCA Board of Directors roster:
OFFICERS
Courtney Banghart, head coach, University of North Carolina (president)
Jose Fernandez, head coach, University of South Florida (vice president)
Cori Close, head coach, UCLA (immediate past president)
Cheytoria Penny, director of campus life finance, Emory University (treasurer)
Danielle Donehew, executive director, WBCA (secretary)
DIRECTORS
Gene Hill, head coach, Georgia State University (NCAA Division I)
Mike Neighbors, head coach, University of Arkansas (NCAA Division I)
Danielle O’Banion, head coach, Loyola University, Maryland (NCAA Division I)
Charmin Smith, head coach, University of California, Berkeley (NCAA Division I)
Joni Taylor, head coach, Texas A&M University (NCAA Division I)
Mike Brandt, head coach, Minot State University (NCAA Division II)
Dave Slifer, head coach, University of Central Missouri (NCAA Division II)
Stephanie Yelton, head coach, University of West Florida (NCAA Division II)
Brian Morehouse, head coach, Hope College (NCAA Division III)
Carissa Sain, head coach, Illinois Institute of Technology (NCAA Division III)
Jessica Turner, head coach, Skidmore College (NCAA Division III)
Chris Nelson, head coach, Bethel University, Tennessee (NAIA)
Romeo Lagmay, head coach, Taft College (two-year college)
Kathy Maguire-Stoudt, head coach, Rising Sun High School, Maryland (scholastic)
Steve Yang, assistant coach, California Baptist University (assistant coaches)
Julie Roe Lach, commissioner, Horizon League (conference commissioners)
Jenn Strawley, director of athletics, Elon University (athletics administrators)
Kelly Black-Holmes, VP and associate general counsel, Warner Bros. Discovery (public sector)
Julie Eddleman, EVP, global chief commercial officer, Double Verify (public sector)
Debbie Spander, CEO, Insight Sports Advisors (public sector)
NONVOTING DIRECTORS
Carol Callan, president, FIBA Americas
Liz Hollingworth, professor/FAR, University of Iowa
Lynn Holzman, vice president, women’s basketball, NCAA
Binh Nguyen, director, academic and membership affairs, NCAA
ABOUT THE WBCA
Founded in 1981, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association is the professional association for coaches of women’s and girls’ basketball at all levels of competition. The WBCA offers educational resources that coaches need to help make themselves better leaders, teachers and mentors to their players; provides opportunities for coaches to connect with peers in the profession; serves as the unifying voice of a diverse community of coaches to the organizations that control the game; and celebrates those coaches, players and other individuals who excel each year and contribute to the advancement of the sport. Visit WBCA.org for more details about the association.
ABOUT USF WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
For complete coverage of USF women’s basketball, follow the Bulls on social media (Twitter | Facebook | Instagram).
South Florida women’s basketball recorded its 11th 20-win season during the 2022-23 campaign. USF has made 18 postseason tournament appearances and had nine NCAA Tournament berths in head coach Jose Fernandez’s 23 seasons. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Fernandez has guided USF to 11 20-win seasons, two WNIT final four appearances, the 2009 WNIT championship, has won over 400 career games, and is the all-time wins leader in the American Athletic Conference.
In 2022-23, the Bulls had four players recognized by The American for impressive seasons, including Elena Tsineke (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu (AAC Co-Player of the Year, All-Conference First Team), Sammie Puisis (AAC Newcomer of the Year, All-Conference Second Team) and Carla Brito (AAC All-Freshman Team).
– #GoBulls –
