A seasoned collegiate coach with a track record of success at the highest levels of the game, Blanche Alverson has been named the fourth head coach in San Diego women’s basketball history, USD Associate Vice President and Executive Director of Athletics Kimya Massey announced on Tuesday.
Alverson joins the Toreros after six seasons at Georgia Tech, where she most recently served as associate head coach. She helped lead the Yellow Jackets to four postseason appearances, including three NCAA Tournaments, three 20-plus win seasons, 12 victories over ranked opponents, and the program’s second-ever NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 run in 2021. Most recently, Georgia Tech spent 11 weeks in the national rankings during the 2024-25 season, climbing as high as No. 13 in the Associated Press poll and setting program records for longest win streak (15 games) and most three-pointers made in a single game (15 vs. Florida A&M), highlighting the influence of Alverson’s fast-paced offensive identity.
“The level of coaching talent attracted to the job was phenomenal. After a thorough and competitive national search, we are excited to welcome Blanche Alverson as our next head women’s basketball coach,” said Massey. “Blanche is a proven leader and mentor who has developed winning cultures at every stop of her career. As a former high-level student-athlete herself, she understands what it takes to compete, lead, and succeed on and off the court. Her vision for USD women’s basketball reflects our shared commitment to raising the bar, returning to postseason play, and building a program that consistently operates at a championship level. I’m looking forward to this next chapter and what lies ahead under her leadership.”
Alverson began her coaching career as a graduate assistant at Texas Tech and has held assistant coaching roles at New Mexico State, USC, and Georgia Tech. She has been instrumental in recruiting nationally ranked classes, mentoring all-conference and all-academic performers, and fostering high-performing cultures on and off the court. Her coaching resume includes working with McDonald’s All-Americans, developing an ACC Most Improved Player, and serving in key roles in player development, operations, and academic support.
“I want to thank President Harris, Kimya Massey, and Ali Gibson for the incredible opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at the University of San Diego,” Alverson said. “From the start, I’ve been very impressed and inspired by the leadership, the mission, and the shared vision for what Torero Women’s Basketball can become. USD is a special place — elite academics, a beautiful campus, top-tier facilities, and a community that truly cares. I’m honored to lead and serve the incredible young women in this program, and I’m excited to build something meaningful — on and off the court. I believe we can recruit and compete at a championship level, both within the conference and nationally. I can’t wait to get started!”
In 2021, Alverson helped guide Georgia Tech to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16 in the program’s 10th overall appearance. The Yellow Jackets finished third in the ACC that season, their highest-ever outright finish, and earned a No. 3 seed in the conference tournament — also a program best.
Prior to her time in Atlanta, Alverson spent two seasons at USC, where she helped secure the No. 5 recruiting class in the country and mentored multiple All-Pac-12 selections. She also led academic initiatives, with several student-athletes earning conference academic honors under her guidance.
In 2016-17, Alverson helped guide New Mexico State to a 14-0 conference record, a third straight WAC Tournament title, and an NCAA Tournament appearance. Her role included working with both guards and posts and helping to mentor a WAC Player of the Year.
“Thank you to my coach and mentor, Nell Fortner, and to the staff and players at Georgia Tech,” Alverson added. “The last six years have brought so much joy, success, and lifelong relationships. I’m also incredibly grateful to my parents and family for always supporting my dreams. Having that kind of support system means everything.”
A native of Andalusia, Alabama, Alverson was a four-year letterwinner at Auburn University, where she played under head coach Nell Fortner. She finished her career ranked second all-time in three-point field goals made and became just the fourth player in program history to record 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals, and 50 blocks. A two-time SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, she was named to the Allstate WBCA Good Works Team in 2013.
Alverson earned her bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from Auburn in 2013 and her master’s degree in sports management from Texas Tech in 2016.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
“Congratulations to San Diego for hiring the next excellent up and coming young head coach! Cliché as this is, there’s no doubt Blanche is a ‘home run hire’! I recruited Blanche to Auburn, coached her and have worked with her for the past six seasons at Georgia Tech. She has been instrumental in building our program and laying the foundation for our success. She will do great things with the Toreros!” — Nell Fortner, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Georgia Tech
“Blanche has been a big part of the success of our women’s basketball program at Georgia Tech. She is a very talented coach and has gained invaluable experience under one of the best coaches in women’s basketball history in Nell Fortner. Blanche is ready for this opportunity. On behalf of the Georgia Tech community, we thank her for all that she did for Tech and wish her great success in San Diego.” — J Batt, Vice President and Director of Athletics, Georgia Tech
“Blanche Alverson is a slam dunk hire! She’s a relentless competitor, a phenomenal leader, and one of the most driven and dynamic coaches in the country. Her energy is infectious, her connection with players is unmatched, and she’s going to do amazing things at USD. I’m fired up for her and for the future of Torero Women’s Basketball!” — Josh Pastner, Head Men’s Basketball Coach, UNLV
“Blanche Alverson is an absolute home run hire! Her knowledge of the game, dedication to winning with integrity and ability to connect with student-athletes truly sets her apart. She will make a tremendous impact on the Torero community and continue building on a culture of excellence.” — Kelly Rae Finley, Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Florida
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