Northwestern Women’s Basketball head coach Joe McKeown, the longest-tenured and winningest head Women’s Basketball coach in Northwestern history, has announced that he will retire at the conclusion of the 2025-26 season after what will mark his 18th season in Evanston and 40th season overall as a head coach.
“Seventeen years ago on a golf course in Washington, D.C., Wildcat legend Michael Wilbon said I should look at Northwestern,” said McKeown. “I did, and we never looked back! I am excited to coach the Wildcats this upcoming 2025-26 season. It has been an honor to be in Evanston for the past 17 years. We brought Northwestern its first Big Ten championship in 30 years, went to multiple NCAA Tournaments, and put plenty of Wildcats in the WNBA and other pro leagues.”
McKeown, the winningest active Women’s Basketball head coach in the Big Ten, transformed the Wildcats’ program into a respected force in the conference and beyond since arriving in Evanston in 2008. Under his leadership, Northwestern has recorded 268 victories, ten winning seasons, and made multiple postseason appearances, including a WNIT runner-up finish in 2019 and two NCAA Tournament berths in 2015 and 2021, the latter of which included the Wildcats winning their first tournament game in 28 years. In 2020, McKeown guided Northwestern to a historic Big Ten regular season championship and the most single-season wins (26) in program history. McKeown was the runner-up for Associated Press National Coach of the Year, finishing behind only South Carolina’s Dawn Staley. He was also one of five semifinalists for the Naismith Trophy Women’s College Coach of the Year for his efforts that season.
A five-time Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (1991, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2007) and the 2020 Big Ten Coach of the Year, McKeown is the all-time winningest Women’s Basketball coach at both Northwestern and George Washington.
“Coach McKeown has embodied the very best of Northwestern University throughout his incredible career,” said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Mark Jackson. “His dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his student-athletes have left an indelible mark on our athletic department and on our entire university community. Beyond the wins and accolades, Coach McKeown has been a mentor, a role model, and a true champion of what it means to be a Wildcat. We are deeply grateful for his contributions and proud to celebrate his remarkable legacy over the upcoming season. While we will miss seeing him on the sidelines after next season, his impact will be felt for generations to come.”
At Northwestern, McKeown has developed multiple WNBA Draft picks, including first round picks Nia Coffey (5th overall, 2017 Draft) and Veronica Burton (7th overall, 2022 Draft) as well as third round picks Lindsey Pulliam (2021 Draft) and Amy Jaeschke (2011 Draft).
During McKeown’s tenure, the Wildcats have established a number of program firsts, including Coffey becoming the first first-year in program history to be named First Team All-Big Ten during the 2013-14 season; Maggie Lyon‘s crowning as the 2013 Big Ten Freshman of the Year; and Jaeschke becoming the first Wildcat to be selected in the WNBA Draft as the 27th pick overall by the Chicago Sky. Under McKeown’s leadership, Northwestern has consistently ranked among the top defensive teams in the Big Ten, with point guard Ashley Deary winning back-to-back Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year honors in 2016 and 2017, and Burton winning the award three years in a row from 2020-22.
“We are grateful for the many people that have supported us along the way,” continued McKeown. “To all the great players, coaches, support staff, and fans that have given everything to Northwestern Women’s Basketball, thank you. To our administration that has supported us and given us the resources to be successful in the Big Ten and nationally, thank you.”
McKeown’s overall head coaching record stands at 777–432 (.643), spanning an exceptional career that includes 17 NCAA Tournament appearances. Before arriving at Northwestern, he established himself as one of the most successful coaches in NCAA Women’s Basketball at George Washington University, where he led the Colonials to 15 NCAA Tournament appearances and ten Atlantic 10 regular season championships in 19 seasons.
McKeown’s teams at George Washington reached the NCAA Sweet 16 four times, including a trip to the Elite Eight in the 1997 NCAA Tournament, while his 1991-92 squad achieved the program’s highest national ranking at No. 6. The Colonials posted eight consecutive 20-win seasons from 1991 to 1998, capturing four Atlantic 10 Tournament titles in that span. He was inducted into the George Washington Athletics Hall of Fame in 2012.
McKeown began his head coaching journey at New Mexico State, where he totaled a 68-20 (.773) record from 1986-89. He also served as an assistant coach at Oklahoma from 1983-86, and at his alma mater, Kent State University, from 1979-83.
As a player, McKeown earned Junior College National Small Player of the Year honors at Mercer County Community College in Trenton, N.J., where he led the Vikings to an appearance in the National Championship game and was inducted into the school’s Hall of Fame in 2024. McKeown then transferred to Kent State. There, he co-captained the Golden Flashes as a senior and earned honorable mention All-Mid-American Conference honors. His school-record 15 assists in a game still stands.
A proud native of Philadelphia, McKeown was inducted into the Father Judge High School Hall of Fame in 1999, a prestigious member of the Philadelphia Catholic League. Off the court, McKeown and his family have been deeply involved with Autism Speaks, a cause close to their hearts. His passion for making a difference extends beyond basketball, exemplifying the profound impact he has had on the Northwestern community.
“Most importantly, to my family: my daughters, Meghan and Ally, are both Northwestern graduates, and have made so many sacrifices for us to be successful,” said McKeown. “My son, Joey, who will always be a special Wildcat fan, and finally, and most importantly, my wife, Laura, who made the ultimate sacrifice by moving our family and who has adopted every Northwestern player as her own. I will forever be grateful! Go ‘Cats!”
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