After reaching the postseason three times in her first three seasons, Katie Gearlds is set to continue her time on the sidelines of Purdue Women’s Basketball, as her alma mater officially announced her contract extension through the 2028-29 season.
“We are excited for Katie Gearlds to continue leading Purdue Women’s Basketball as we restore the program to national prominence,” said Executive Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Mike Bobinski. “Katie is passionate about our proud history of success and is intently focused on building a program with a foundation for sustained, championship-level performance. Our athletic department and the entire Purdue community look forward to supporting Katie, her team and staff this upcoming season and beyond.”
In three short years, Gearlds guided the Boilermakers to three postseason appearances, three ranked wins and reestablished Purdue’s presence on the recruiting front.
“I am excited to continue leading this incredible program,” Gearlds said. “I am grateful for the support of Athletic Director Mike Bobinski, President Mung Chiang, the Purdue Board of Trustees and Deputy Athletic Director Tiffini Grimes have shown me and our program. From watching the program’s success as a kid in this state to wearing Purdue across my chest to getting to lead this incredible team, Purdue has had a profound impact on my life. I am grateful for the opportunity to bring more success to this university and continue to develop our young women into leaders when they graduate.”
Gearlds’ had a short turnaround before her first season in 2021-22, taking over the program just 43 days ahead of the season opener. Purdue reached the WNIT for the first time since 2017-18, defeated a ranked opponent for the first time in three years and posted a 10-win improvement, the best by a head coach in her first year.
Following her first full offseason with the program, Gearlds’ second year saw the Boilermakers return to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2016-17. Purdue downed two ranked opponents, including a win over No. 2 Ohio State for the program’s first ever true road win over an AP top-5 team.
In 2024-25, Gearlds took Purdue back to the postseason with a WNIT run that ended in the Great 8, the Boilermakers’ deepest postseason run since 2009. Point guard Jeanae Terry became the only player in Big Ten men’s or women’s basketball history to amass 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds and 700 assists in a career.
Gearlds joined Lin Dunn and Carolyn Peck as the only Purdue head coaches to post win improvements in each of their first two seasons.
Gearlds’ teams have broken the single-game and single season 3-point records, posted the longest home winning streak since 2007, and set the Purdue record for home non-conference wins with 19 straight, including postseason play. The Boilermakers also recorded their first winning record in Big Ten action since 2016-17 with a 9-8 mark in 2022-23.
One of the best to lace them up for Purdue, Gearlds guided Purdue to two Big Ten Tournament titles, four NCAA Tournament appearances with three Sweet 16s and one Elite Eight during her career from 2004-07. She still ranks fourth in program history with 1,974 points.
Gearlds and the Boilermakers will open the 2024-25 season on Nov. 6 with a home contest against Purdue Fort Wayne.
The 2024-25 Purdue women’s basketball season is presented by Purdue Global, Purdue University’s online educational solution for working adults.
https://purduesports.com/news/2024/9/24/womens-basketball-gearlds-extended-through-2028-29
Tagged with: Big Ten
