Story Courtesy John Maxwell, Florida Athletics
Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin announced today that the Gators have hired Tammi Reiss as the 12th head women’s basketball coach in program history. One of the most dynamic rising leaders in college basketball, Reiss arrives in Gainesville as a proven program builder, elite recruiter and relentless competitor with championship experience as both a player and coach.
A three-time All-American during her playing days at Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball, Reiss is just days removed from leading Rhode Island Rams women’s basketball to its first NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament appearance in 30 years, capping a remarkable turnaround for a program that posted just one winning season in the 15 years prior to her arrival.
Her skills as a player helped the Cavaliers reach three consecutive Final Fours and the 1991 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship Game, and made Reiss the fifth overall selection in the inaugural 1997 WNBA Draft. As an assistant coach, she helped guide Virginia Cavaliers women’s basketball, San Diego State Aztecs women’s basketball, and Syracuse Orange women’s basketball to the NCAA Tournament before taking over at the helm of the Rams.
Off the court, Reiss was a three-time All-ACC Academic selection and a 1992 Academic All-American whose passions also extend beyond basketball. She has appeared in the films Juwanna Mann and Double Teamed, as well as the television series Sister, Sister.
“Tammi Reiss is a proven winner and an outstanding leader whose experience as both a player and coach stood out throughout this process,” said Stricklin. “She brings tremendous enthusiasm, an unbelievable competitive spirit, and a relentless work ethic that will resonate with our student-athletes and our entire program. Tammi has a genuine passion for the game and for developing young women, and it was clear from the beginning how much she wanted the opportunity to lead the Florida Gators. She is also a strong recruiter with a track record of building an international pipeline, and her unique life experiences have helped shape her into a dynamic leader. We are excited to welcome Tammi to Gainesville and look forward to the energy and vision she will bring to our women’s basketball program.”
“I first want to thank Dr. Donald Landry, the board of trustees, Athletic Director Scott Stricklin, and the search committee members Jeff Guin, Amy Hass and David Duke Werner for believing in me and trusting in my vision as the next leader of the women’s basketball program at the University of Florida,” said Reiss.
“It’s a bit bittersweet to say goodbye to a place that you love so much. Rhode Island gave me a shot when nobody else believed in me. They gave me all the necessary resources to be successful, and we accomplished everything that I promised the university and the fan base that we set out to do.
“But I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to coach at the highest level, and it doesn’t get any better than the SEC in terms of women’s basketball. Between Florida’s academic reputation, which is very important to me, and the resources available to the program, I believe we have all the pieces necessary to build a championship-caliber team that the university and community will be proud of and excited to support. I can’t wait to get down to Gainesville and get started.”
“Tammi and I go back to our days at Virginia, and even then, you could see the passion, the toughness, and the basketball IQ that set her apart,” said South Carolina Head Women’s Basketball Coach Dawn Staley. “Over the past seven seasons at Rhode Island, she’s recruited the right players, developed them, and built a culture that reflects who she is disciplined, competitive, and committed. Taking Rhode Island to the NCAA Tournament this season is a testament to that work. This is a full-circle moment for both of us. From sharing the court as roommates and teammates to now coaching in the same league, it’s special. And I know she’s going to make a strong impact at Florida.”
When Reiss took over as head coach of the Rams prior to the 2019-20 season, she inherited a program that was 24 years removed from its last 20-win campaign, had just one winning season over the previous 15 years, and had posted double-digit victories in just two of the previous 10 seasons.
The turnaround was instantaneous. Despite her first two years at the helm of the Rams being shortened by COVID restrictions, Reiss led Rhode Island to both its second highest winning percentage and first winning season since 2003-04. Her second season in Kingston included 11 conference wins, which were the most for the program since 1995-96.
In 2021-22, Reiss’ first full season with the Rams, Rhode Island set a program record for wins by going 22-7. They bettered that mark the very next year by posting a 26-7 mark, and this past season, Reiss and company again set a program record for victories by going 28-5, advancing to the NCAA Tournament by winning their first-ever Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship. That record includes road wins over then-16th-ranked NC State of the ACC, and Providence from the Big East.
Prior to joining the Rams, Reiss spent four years as an assistant coach at Syracuse. During her time with the Orange, she helped Syracuse to three straight NCAA Tournament second round appearances. She mentored the only players in program history to earn WBCA Division I Coaches All-America Honors in Alexis Peterson, Brittney Sykes, and Tiana Mangakahia. Peterson and Mangakahia also earned Associated Press All-America Honors. Both Peterson and Sykes were selected in the 2017 WNBA Draft and Sykes went on to earn 2017 WNBA All-Rookie Team honors.
Reiss helped Syracuse to four straight NCAA Tournament appearances, posting a 7-4 record. The Orange had 99 wins during her four-year span, including 45 conference victories. Following its run to the national championship game in 2016, the team was ranked No.3 nationally in the final USA Today Coaches poll — its highest rank in program history.
Before Syracuse, Reiss spent time at Cal State Fullerton as the associate head coach. She served as the Titans’ recruiting coordinator and was responsible for game and practice preparation, player development with emphasis on guard play, and conducted the offseason conditioning program.
From 2011-13, Reiss was an assistant coach at San Diego State, where she helped guide the Aztecs to two regular-season Mountain West titles, the 2012 conference tournament crown, and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
Prior to working at San Diego State, Reiss served as an assistant coach for the WNBA’s San Antonio Silver Stars and Utah Starzz. During her time in Utah, the Starzz advanced to the Western Conference final in 2002.
Reiss was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Virginia, from 1993-96. She helped guide the Cavaliers to two ACC regular season titles and three NCAA Tournament appearances, including two trips to the Elite Eight.
The Eldred, N.Y. native was a four-year starter for the Cavaliers, earning All-American honors in 1992. She led UVA to three ACC regular-season titles, two league tournament championships, and three Final Four appearances. Reiss earned All-Conference honors three times in her career and was named to the All-ACC Tournament Team twice.
She ended her collegiate career ranked first in school history in three-point field goals made (139) and three-point field goal percentage (.416), and was second in points (1,842) and free throws made (437).
Reiss was the fifth overall pick in the 1997 WNBA Draft by the Starzz where she played two seasons.
Tagged with: SEC
