Cori Close has served as The Michael Price Family UCLA Women’s Head Basketball Coach since 2011 and is one of the most respected leaders in collegiate athletics. With an overall record of 287–140 (.672), she is one of only three coaches in UCLA women’s basketball history to surpass 200 career wins. Under her guidance, the Bruins have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in seven of the last nine seasons, including multiple Sweet Sixteen and Elite Eight appearances. Close has built a program known for its resilience, toughness, and excellence—on and off the court—earning national recognition for her leadership, including the 2024 WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award and the 2025 Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year honor.Close’s leadership style centers on developing the whole student-athlete. Her teams consistently rank among the nation’s best in rebounding and defense, and she has coached seven WNBA draft picks while mentoring countless All-Pac-12 players. Her top-ranked recruiting classes have made immediate impacts, and her players routinely praise her for cultivating a culture of accountability, unity, and growth. In the 2024–25 season, she guided UCLA to its first-ever NCAA Final Four appearance and secured the Big Ten Tournament championship—solidifying the Bruins’ place among the nation’s elite.