The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Department of Athletics has named Megan Yawman the next head coach of the RPI women’s basketball program.
“We are excited to welcome Megan Yawman to RPI to lead our women’s basketball program. Throughout the search process, Megan stood out for her energy, her authenticity, and her clear vision for building a competitive program grounded in strong relationships and student-athlete development,” said RPI Director of Athletics, Dr. Kristie Bowers. “She has been part of a highly respected program at Carnegie Mellon and understands what it takes to succeed at a high level academically and athletically. Her experience, combined with her perspective as a former student-athlete, gives her a strong foundation to connect with and lead our team. What impressed me most about Megan is her commitment to creating a positive, driven culture and her belief in developing the whole student-athlete. She aligns exceptionally well with RPI’s values, and I’m confident she will build a program that our campus community will be proud of. We’re thrilled to have Megan join the RPI family and are excited about the direction of our women’s basketball program under her leadership.”
Yawman arrives in Troy after serving as the lead assistant at Carnegie Mellon University, where she helped engineer one of Division III’s most notable turnarounds. As an assistant coach beginning in 2023, she helped the Tartans improve from an 11–14 season in 2023–24 to a 21–6 record and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2024–25, advancing to the Round of 32. She also served as the program’s interim head coach from March through June of 2024 during the national search.
In her role at Carnegie Mellon, Yawman served as recruiting coordinator, building and executing a national recruiting plan, while also overseeing player development and opponent scouting. Her background includes extensive work with video and analytics platforms, the creation of detailed scouting reports and game plans, and elevation of the program’s brand of social media, along with alumni engagement and fundraising initiatives.
“I am truly honored and excited to be named the next Head Coach of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Women’s Basketball program. It is my privilege to lead this talented group of student-athletes as they pursue excellence as competitors, scholars, and leaders of the RPI community,” said Yawman. “I’m excited to continue to build on the foundation of this program and represent the Engineers with pride. I’m deeply grateful to Dr. Bowers, the search committee, and the entire RPI Athletics department for their trust and confidence in me and for this incredible opportunity to guide the next chapter of RPI Women’s Basketball. I look forward to building strong relationships with our student-athletes, alumni, and my colleagues at all levels across this outstanding institution.”
Yawman also expressed appreciation for her time at Carnegie Mellon. “I also want to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Josh Centor, Coach Kathy McConnell-Miller, and my Carnegie Mellon family for their unwavering support and the invaluable experiences I gained as a Tartan. It has been a privilege to work alongside and learn from Coach McConnell-Miller—one of the very best in our game. I would not be where I am today without her mentorship and guidance.”
A former four-year student-athlete at Ithaca College, Yawman brings first-hand Liberty League experience to the Engineers’ sideline. Yawman helped the Bombers win three conference championships and earn four NCAA Tournament appearances, including an Elite Eight run, while earning a B.S. in Business Administration with sport management and coaching concentrations and a Master’s in Exercise and Sport Sciences (with a concentration in Mental Performance).
https://rpiathletics.com/news/2026/5/4/rpi-names-megan-yawman-womens-basketball-head-coach.aspx
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