Joanne Boyle Announces Her Retirement

Joanne Boyle
Joanne Boyle announces her retirement from Virginia. ~ Courtesy of Virginia Athletics Media Relations

Fresh off an NCAA Tournament appearance and first round win, Virginia women’s basketball coach Joanne Boyle announced Tuesday that she is retiring from coaching. Boyle cited a family matter in the official news release as the reason for stepping down from coaching.

“The person who is the head coach of this program needs to fully commit themselves and give their all to these deserving young women,” Boyle said in the news release. “Due to a family matter that may require more time away from the program, I am not able to dedicate the time I need to our team. For that reason, it is best for me to step aside.”

Boyle’s retirement means that first-year Virginia Athletics Director Carla Williams will now conduct her first coaching search at the head of the UVA department. Williams began her tenure in December. She came to Virginia from the University of Georgia where she last served as Deputy Director of Athletics. Her duties there included work as an administrator for the women’s basketball program.

Williams brings a unique perspective to this coaching hire. She is the first female African-American athletics director at a Power Five school and just the fifth active female athletics director at that level. As an administrator, she served on numerous committees, including the NCAA women’s basketball issues committee from 2010-2014. Prior to moving into administration, she played basketball at Georgia for as a three-year starter and finished her career with 1,115 points, 425 assists, and 285 steals.

Williams later joined the Georgia coaching staff under Hall of Fame coach Andy Landers from 1991-1996 where she helped guide the team to the Final Four in 1995 and 1996.

Virginia fans and media observers immediately pointed toward Virginia legend Dawn Staley, who is the head coach at South Carolina. She led her team to the National Championship last season. The Gamecocks have been a fixture in the top 25 rankings since the start of the 2013-14 season. Staley starred at UVA as a player where she helped the program reach three Final Fours. She was a two-time National Player of the Year and the ACC Player of the Year in 1991 and 1992. She finished her career as the only player in ACC history at the time to record more than 2,000 points, 700 rebounds, 700 assists, and 400 steals.

Other speculation on candidates could include current UVA assistant coach Tim Taylor, Princeton head coach Courtney Banghart, and others.

Williams said that an immediate search will begin for Boyle’s replacement.

“Joanne is a tremendous representative for the University of Virginia,” Williams said in the news release. “I understand her personal situation and respect her decision. It is a reflection of who she is as a person. She is a tireless worker who has been extremely caring of her student-athletes. Now she needs to focus that attention and energy on her family. We wish them the best and she knows they have our full support.”

Boyle followed long-time coach Debbie Ryan at Virginia. Over the past seven seasons, Boyle guided Virginia to a 129-98 record with one NCAA Tournament appearance. She owns a career record of 333-191 at Richmond, California, and UVA.

The Hoos posted a 19-14 record this season and won their NCAA Tournament opener against Cal. UVA finished 10-6 in the ACC this season.

“I have loved everyone who has come through this program and played for Virginia,” Boyle said in the news release. “This year’s team was an incredible group of young women who were united, selfless and truly committed to one another. That’s why they were successful. They put team above everything else. It was a pleasure and honor to coach them. I cannot say enough great things about my staff. They exemplify what Virginia basketball is all about. They work so well together. Their dedication to the success of the young women on this team has always come first. They are truly the backbone of this program.”

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