The University of Toledo and head women’s basketball coach Tricia Cullop have reached an agreement that extends Cullop’s contract through the 2029-30 season, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Bryan B. Blair announced today.
“We are very pleased to extend Coach Cullop’s contract through the 2029-30 season,” said Blair. “Tricia is one of the best women’s basketball coaches in the country, but she is so much more than that. She has helped build a winning program that is competing amongst the best nationally, as exemplified by this year’s NCAA tournament success. Furthermore, she is a key cog in our community and an amazing mentor to the young women in our program, both on and off the basketball court. We are very fortunate to have her as the leader of our women’s basketball program and look forward to her leadership for many years to come.
“Women’s basketball is undergoing a surge in popularity and we are proud that Toledo women’s basketball has been at the forefront of that movement, with 32 consecutive years leading the MAC in attendance and 10 of the last 11 years ranking in the top 30 nationally. Today’s announcement is yet another example of our commitment to support this incredible sport.”
Cullop recently wrapped her 15th season as Toledo’s head coach, one that will go down as one of the best in program history. The Rockets won their 11th MAC Regular Season Championship and their ninth MAC Tournament title in 2022-23, advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017. Toledo also captured its first NCAA Tournament win since 1996, defeating No. 5 seed Iowa State in first-round action. UT posted a 29-5 overall record, tying the school record for most wins in a season. Individually, Cullop earned her fifth MAC Coach of the Year honor and mentored senior guard Quinesha Lockett to a MAC Player of the Year honor, the program’s first since 1998-99.
“I am extremely honored to not only be the head women’s basketball coach at the University of Toledo, but to be given the trust and vote of confidence by our administration to lead it for many years to come,” Cullop said. “It is truly a joy to work with such a special team and talented staff. We will continue to do everything in our power to make the University of Toledo, our fans, and our alumni proud. We are blessed to have a passionate fan base cheering us on every night. I am grateful to Dr. Postel and Bryan Blair for their continued support and commitment to me and our program. We are already excited for next year!”
The program’s all-time leader in coaching wins, Cullop boasts a 325-163 career record at Toledo and a 448-273 overall record in 23 seasons as a head coach. Cullop has led UT to four MAC Regular Season Championships, two MAC Tournament titles, and a 2011 WNIT Championship, the first major tournament won by a MAC school. Her five MAC Coach of the Year honors are second-most in league history.
Thirteen of Cullop’s players have earned All-MAC honors on 33 occasions, and in addition to 2022-23 Player of the Year Lockett she has coached one two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year (Andola Dorch), one MAC Freshman of the Year (Jay-Ann Bravo-Harriott), and two MAC Sixth Players of the Year (Kaayla McIntyre and Hannah Noveroske).
One of the most respected coaches in the sport, Cullop served as president of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) from 2019-21 and earned the WBCA’s Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award and WBCA President’s Award in 2022.
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