Transitioning Leadership: Penn State Women's Basketball Seeks New Head Coach After Carolyn Kieger's Departure
Penn State University has announced the departure of Carolyn Kieger as the women's basketball head coach after seven seasons. Athletic director Pat Kraft made the decision to relieve Kieger of her duties following a disappointing 2025-2026 season where the team finished with an 11-18 overall record and a 4-14 record in Big Ten play. Kieger's tenure saw limited success, with only one winning season in 2023-2024, where the team achieved a 22-13 record but did not make the NCAA tournament. Her final record at Penn State stands at 84-123.
In a statement, Kraft expressed appreciation for Kieger's dedication and passion but emphasized the need for a change in leadership to elevate the program to a higher level of excellence. The decision comes after Penn State failed to qualify for the Big Ten women's basketball tournament, marking the end of their season and Kieger's coaching tenure.
Kraft, who has overseen multiple coaching changes since assuming his role, will now be tasked with finding a new head coach to guide the Lady Lions back to success. The program has a history of success, having made the national tournament 25 times, with the most recent appearance occurring in the early 2010s. The search for Kieger's replacement will be crucial in restoring the team's competitiveness and returning them to a position of prominence in women's college basketball.