UCLA women’s basketball head coach Cori Close is staying in sunny Los Angeles.
UCLA athletics announced on Tuesday Close has signed a contract extension through the 2029-30 season, weeks after leading the Bruins to their first NCAA championship in women’s basketball last month.
“I am so grateful to Chancellor Frenk and Martin Jarmond for the opportunity to continue teaching and mentoring the young women who choose UCLA,” Close said in a news release. “I love being here in Westwood, and I am so excited for what the future holds.
“I hope we can continue to make our Bruin faithful proud.”
The UCLA Bruins celebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe speaks to UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) on the podium after the win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and center Lauren Betts (51) reacts in the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) embraces head coach Cori Close in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the National Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close congratulates center Lauren Betts (51) as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.1 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
The UCLA Bruins celebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
1 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
The UCLA Bruins celebrate on the podium after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
2 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
ESPN reporter Holly Rowe speaks to UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) on the podium after the win against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
3 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
4 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
5 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins players celebrate after defeating the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
6 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins guard Charlisse Leger-Walker (5) and center Lauren Betts (51) reacts in the third quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
7 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins guard Kiki Rice (1) embraces head coach Cori Close in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
8 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) reacts as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
9 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
10 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins forward Gabriela Jaquez (11) celebrates in the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
11 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
The UCLA Bruins celebrate after the National Championship game against the South Carolina Gamecocks of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
12 / 12
See UCLA Bruins celebrate their NCAA women's basketball championship
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close congratulates center Lauren Betts (51) as she heads to the bench in the fourth quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks during the National Championship game of the women’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Mortgage Matchup Center.
Close has served as the head coach of the UCLA women’s basketball team since 2011. She has a 358-144 record in 15 seasons and guided the Bruins to 10 NCAA Tournament appearances, including back-to-back Final Fours in 2025 and 2026. The Bruins’ first trip to the Final Four in 2025 resulted in a blowout loss in the semifinals, but UCLA went all the way this spring with a 79-51 rout of South Carolina.
UCLA’s celebrations continued a week later when five Bruins from the championship roster were selected in the first round at the WNBA draft. UCLA’s five first-rounders set a record for the most WNBA Round 1 selections produced by a school in a single draft.
“I’ve been doing this for 33 years. This is the most intentionally hardworking group of people in terms of being prepared for the pro level,” Close added of her senior core. “They’re ready.”
Close was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2025-26 after the record-breaking season.
“We are extremely proud of what Cori has accomplished in leading our young women,” UCLA’s athletic director Martin Jarmond said in a statement. “Winning a national championship is a tremendous achievement, but what truly stands out with Cori is the character, leadership and daily commitment she and her staff bring to help developing her players into the best versions of themselves. We are very fortunate to have Cori leading this program, and we couldn’t be more excited about the future of this team.”
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: UCLA women’s basketball coach Cori Close extended after NCAA title
