Chandler McCabe was named the seventh head coach of the RMU women's basketball program on March 18, 2024.
McCabe enters her second season as head coach of the Colonials where she helped lead RMU to a 15-16 overall record and 10-10 mark in Horizon League play during her first year at the helm. In her first year at Bobby Mo, McCabe helped shift the dynamic of the RMU women's basketball program, leading the team to several notable achievements. Highlights from her debut season include:
•First time in program history to host horizon league quarterfinal game
•Advanced to Horizon League Semifinal game for the first time in program history
•Posted a 10-4 record in the final two months of the season
•Tripled conference win total from last season
•Snapped 18 game losing streak
•Won four consecutive road conference games for the first time since joining the Horizon League
•Posted first win at Youngstown State since 2006
•Held 15 opponents to under 60 points, in those games had a 12-3 record
McCabe joined 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.
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.”
