MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – RMU Vice President and Director of Athletics Chris King has announced
Chandler McCabe as the next head coach of the Colonials' women's basketball team. The seventh head coach in the 48-year history of the Division I program, McCabe will be formally introduced on Tuesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. in the UPMC Events Center's Harshman Family Rotunda.
McCabe joins RMU after spending the 2023-24 season at University of Central Florida (UCF) in its first season in the Big 12 as an assistant to head coach Sytia Messer.
Prior to UCF, the Orlando native spent two seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at George Mason under head coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis. In 2022-23, McCabe helped lead the program to its first winning season in 17 years and first .500 record in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
McCabe spent seven seasons under Blair-Lewis as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Bethune-Cookman. Over her last five seasons with the program, she helped lead the Lady Wildcats to a 120-65 (.649) overall and 77-19 (.802) MEAC record, including the most single-season (24) and MEAC (15) wins in program history in 2017-18. McCabe was part of the staff that helped win four MEAC Regular Season Championships (first in program history) and the 2019-20 MEAC Tournament Championship, which resulted in the first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history. In 2017-18, McCabe handled head coaching duties with Blair-Lewis on maternity leave. The Lady Wildcats won three of those four games.
McCabe started her coaching at Henderson (AR) State as a graduate assistant earning her master's degree in sports administration in 2014 with a perfect 4.0 grade point average.
Overall, McCabe has recruited and coached 16 all-conference team selections, as well as one Player of the Year and three Defensive Players of the Year.
In 2018, McCabe was recognized by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association as one of its Thirty Under 30 honorees, a program created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women's basketball coaches age 30 and younger at all levels of the game. Each honoree has exemplified their involvement in community service, mentorship, professional manner and professional association involvement.
"We are thrilled to welcome
Chandler McCabe to the Colonial athletics program, as she separated herself from other candidates with her energetic and enthusiastic attitude about becoming the next Colonials head women's basketball coach," said King. "Chandler was someone that we targeted and comes highly recommended from the highest levels of women's basketball. When looking for qualified head coach candidates, we searched for individuals who have been around great mentors, teachers and leaders. Chandler has played for, served and learned from the best coaches in our industry. She has a proven track record of success having worked with multiple outstanding Division I programs. Chandler knows how to win at the mid-major Division I level, and understands the importance of building a fence around RMU in recruiting to bring talented players to Moon Township. Her skills at recruiting and developing women's basketball student-athletes and leaders will allow our program to meet our goals, which are to compete for Horizon League championships and participate in NCAA March Madness. Her competitive success, vision and values make her an exact fit for the next chapter of our women's basketball program."
"I am ecstatic to join the RMU family and so thankful to Chris King and President Dr. Michelle Patrick for entrusting me with this incredible opportunity to affect these young women's lives," said McCabe. "I am honored to represent this University and compete in the Horizon League against some of the best coaches in the country. My staff and I will be committed to building a women's basketball program that will compete every day on-and-off the floor while awarding opportunities to these young athletes in the world of basketball and beyond."
A 2012 graduate of Providence, McCabe earned a bachelor's degree in social work with a minor in business management. She was a member of the Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honors Society and was named a member of the Big East All-Academic Team.
As a player, McCabe appeared in 110 games for the Friars and served as a team captain in her senior year (2011-12). In 2009-10, she helped lead the program to its first winning campaign and postseason berth (WNIT) in 18 seasons.
McCabe graduated from Bishop Moore Catholic High School in Orlando and won the 2008 Florida High School Athletic Association 4-A state championship in 2008. She is the daughter of Carl Koechlin and the late Wendy McCabe, who worked at Orlando's PBS affiliate, WMFE.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING ABOUT CHANDLER MCCABE
Vanessa Blair-Lewis, George Mason Head Coach
"Coach McCabe was a loyal member of my coaching staff for 10 years and she helped me build championship teams. She is a relentless recruiter who seeks to develop meaningful relationships with her players both on-and-off the court. She is a consummate professional, a skilled tactician who possesses a passion and enthusiasm for this game that is unmatched. Coach McCabe is a tremendous coach but an even better person. RMU is blessed to have her as their new head coach."
Shauna Green, Illinois Head Coach
"RMU got an absolute star in
Chandler McCabe. From coaching her in college to watching her progression as a coach there are consistent characteristics that make her elite. Her passion, work ethic and ability to build relationships will pay dividends right away. She brings a wealth of experience as an elite recruiter and also a head coach when she had to step in for Coach Blair-Lewis. She knows what it takes to win championships and I know will work tirelessly to bring RMU to that level.
Mark Kellogg, West Virginia Head Coach
"What a great day for RMU women's basketball with the hire of
Chandler McCabe. She will lead the program with a contagious energy, passion and enthusiasm. She will work tirelessly to recruit high character and talented student-athletes that can excel both on and off the court. There is no doubt in my mind that Chandler will have tremendous success at RMU."
Kenneth "KP" Pannell, ESPN HoopGurlz Scout
"Chandler has always been a coach who cares about the game. Her relationships have allowed her to be one of the best recruiters I have encountered. Chandler will do well because she refuses to be out-worked. Not only will she be a successful head coach, she will change her players' lives."
