UCLA women's basketball coach Cori Close signed a four‑year contract extension that will pay her an average of $2 million per season, a deal that cements her position at the helm of a program that has just captured its first NCAA national championship in the 2025‑26 campaign.
The Bruins finished the season with a 37‑1 record, highlighted by a 31‑game winning streak, and Close’s 358‑144 overall record now includes two Big Ten Tournament titles and a regular‑season championship, underscoring a sustained period of excellence.
The championship run produced a wave of professional interest, with six players from the roster being selected in the WNBA draft, five of them in the first round, underscoring the program’s talent pipeline and its ability to develop NBA‑ready prospects.
Next season, UCLA will blend returning scholarship athletes with five new transfers, among them Spanish guard Somto Okafor, who is expected to add depth to the backcourt and contribute immediately to the team's ambitions.
The financial terms of Close’s extension also place her salary in stark contrast to her peers; the other Final Four coaches earned at least double her 2025‑26 compensation, a fact that reflects the growing economic disparity among elite women's basketball programs.
A New Chapter for UCLA Women's Basketball
The incoming class brings a mix of experience and fresh talent, with the coaching staff confident that the blend of returning players and high‑profile transfers will keep the Bruins competitive in the national conversation and maintain their momentum on the court.
Beyond the numbers, Close’s leadership has been credited with building a culture of excellence, a narrative that resonates with alumni and fans alike, as the university looks to sustain momentum in the coming years and preserve its rise in collegiate women's basketball.