Following another banner season for James Madison that included a Sun Belt Conference Women’s Basketball Championship title and a berth into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship, Head Coach Sean O’Regan received a contract extension through the 2031-32 season, as announced Thursday by JMU Director of Athletics Matt Roan.
The contract extends O’Regan’s six-year deal, which he signed last spring after the Dukes’ won a program-record 30 games and went a perfect 18-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.
“Sean has cemented James Madison as a consistent winner in the Sun Belt Conference and nationally-relevant program with two championships and two overtime, runner-up finishes in four years. This year our team was playing its best basketball at the right time to culminate in a Sun Belt Championship and NCAA postseason appearance,” Roan said. “Sean embodies the values and qualities that best represent James Madison University. He is an elite coach, and most importantly, this is where he and his family want to be. We’re grateful he chooses to lead his alma mater and the young women in our program.”
“So thankful to Matt Roan, Jenn Phillips, and President Jim for their willingness to get this done,” said O’Regan. “JMU is home for me and for my family. I’m looking forward to a bright future with a great group of people!”
The Dukes wrapped up another stellar season in Harrisonburg, going 26-9 with a 14-4 mark in Sun Belt play, capturing the league’s tournament title and making its 14th March Madness appearance in program history. At the conclusion of the 2025-26 season, O’Regan reached 236 career victories – the most wins through the first 10 seasons for a head coach in program history.
JMU picked up three wins over Power 4 opponents – all in a three-game stretch – with victories over Virginia Tech (65-56 – Nov. 23), Boston College (73-53 – Nov. 28), and Wisconsin (69-50 – Nov. 29). Following a 74-67 loss at the hands of Arkansas State in Jonesboro, Ark. on Jan. 25, the Dukes rattled off 12 straight victories heading into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship. James Madison was especially formidable in the final nine games of the winning streak, holding all nine opponents to 57 points or fewer.
O’Regan holds a 236-90 (.724) record in his decade at the helm of the Dukes, including a 105-35 (.750) mark since joining the Sun Belt Conference (2022-Present). JMU’s 105 wins in that stretch are the most in the league by a wide margin, with Troy in second with 88. Additionally, the Dukes’ 105 victories rank 16th among all Division I programs in that time.
Under Coach O’s tutelage, Peyton McDaniel wrapped up her illustrious career in Harrisonburg ranked No. 3 in points (2,325) and fourth in rebounds (1,025) in program history. The sharpshooter also finished second in three-pointers (345) and tied for sixth in three-point percentage (35.0%). McDaniel played in the second-most games of any JMU player, making 154 appearances. The veteran finished fourth in free-throw percentage (81.1%), while on the defense end, the Birdsboro, Pa. native tallied the eighth-most steals in program history (186).
Tagged with: Sun Belt
