Cori Close

Cori Close is an American college basketball coach who has served as the head coach of the UCLA Bruins women's basketball team since 2011. A disciple of the late, legendary coach Sue Enquist and renowned mentors like Geno Auriemma and Mike Krzyzewski, she is known for her developmental approach and building a nationally competitive program in Westwood. Under her leadership, the UCLA Bruins have made multiple deep runs in the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, including reaching the Final Four in 2018.

Early life and education

Born in San Jose, California, Close was a multi-sport standout at Archbishop Mitty High School. She pursued her undergraduate studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she played Division I basketball for the Gauchos under coach Mark French. A team captain, she helped lead her squad to the 1993 NCAA Tournament. After earning a bachelor's degree in communication, she obtained a master's in education from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Coaching career

Close began her coaching career as a graduate assistant for the UCLA Bruins women's basketball program in 1993. She then served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, UC Santa Barbara, from 1995 to 1996. Her major break came when she joined the staff of Florida State in 1996, working under head coach Sue Semrau for eight seasons and helping build the ACC program. In 2004, she returned to Westwood as an associate head coach for the UCLA Bruins, playing a key role in recruiting and player development for seven seasons under coach Kathy Olivier. After a stint as an assistant for the USA Basketball Women's National Team at the 2010 FIBA World Championship for Women, she was named the head coach at UCLA in April 2011. Her tenure has been marked by significant success, including Pac-12 regular-season championships, consistent appearances in the AP Top 25, and a historic trip to the 2018 Women's Final Four in Columbus, Ohio.

Head coaching record

Over her career leading the UCLA Bruins, Close has compiled a winning record in the highly competitive Pac-12 Conference. Her teams have regularly qualified for the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament, with notable seasons including a 27-8 record and Elite Eight finish in 2017, followed by the 27-8 Final Four campaign in 2018. Her overall conference winning percentage ranks among the best in program history, challenging perennial powers like the Stanford Cardinal and the Oregon Ducks.

Personal life

Close is married to Mark Close, a former baseball player at UC Santa Barbara. The couple has two children and resides in Los Angeles. She is actively involved with charitable organizations, including the V Foundation for Cancer Research, and is a frequent speaker on leadership and coaching, having participated in programs at the Center for Creative Leadership.

Awards and honors

Throughout her career, Close has received numerous accolades. She was named the Pac-12 Conference Women's Basketball Coach of the Year in 2019 and has been a finalist for the prestigious Naismith College Coach of the Year award. In 2018, she was honored with the WBCA Carol Eckman Award, which recognizes spirit, courage, and commitment to the sport. Her role with USA Basketball also earned her a gold medal as an assistant coach at the 2014 FIBA World Championship for Women in Istanbul.

Category:American women's basketball coaches Category:UCLA Bruins women's basketball coaches Category:UC Santa Barbara Gauchos women's basketball players Category:Living people Category:1971 births