Women’s basketball head coach Becky Burke has left her position for the head coach job at the University of Arizona, UB Athletics announced on Wednesday.
“I'm so thankful to have been able to coach so many amazing young women and work at such a prestigious university,” Burke said on the UB Athletics website. “The support from the community and the City of Buffalo has been absolutely unbelievable throughout my three years here. I'm proud of what we were able to accomplish during my time, and excited for the future of UB women's basketball.”
Burke’s departure comes shortly after her team won the Women’s National Invitation Tournament on April 5. She also led the team to a record-breaking season of 30 wins this season and an appearance in the 2024 Mid-American Conference title game. She is 174-92 overall in her coaching career.
Burke was signed with UB through the 2027-2028 season, with a $500,000 buyout as of April 1, 2024. Her leaving has added to the team’s departures, as six players have completed their eligibility and three more entered the transfer portal this past week.
At Arizona, Burke will take over a team with only one scholarship player. Many others have entered the transfer portal parting with the Wildcats’ previous head coach, Adia Barnes.
In 2021, the Arizona Wildcats defeated the University of Connecticut in the Final Four of the Women’s NCAA Tournament, but ultimately lost in the Championship game to Stanford University. Arizona looks forward to the possibility of Burke leading them back in the future.
“Coach Burke is a proven program builder and rising star in collegiate women's basketball with a track record of transformational success,” University of Arizona’s Vice President and Director of Athletics, Desireé Reed-Francois, said on ArizonaWildcats.com.
Izabella Ducato is the assistant sports editor and can be reached at izabella.ducato@ubspectrum.com
