A New Era for Alabama Women's Basketball
Alabama’s women’s basketball program announced Pauline Love as its new head coach, slated to take the reins for the 2026‑27 season after Kristy Curry accepted a similar role at South Florida.
Love arrives with a résumé that includes a stint as associate head coach at Oklahoma and a year as an assistant at Alabama during the 2024‑25 campaign, having previously built experience at Arkansas from 2017‑24.
Schedule Packed with Regional Rivals and National Showcases
The nonconference slate features home matchups against Queens on Nov. 2, New Orleans on Nov. 4 and Alabama A&M on Nov. 6, while the first road test comes at Tulane on Nov. 8 followed by a trip to Memphis on Nov. 12. Additional highlights include participation in the WBCA Showcase in Orlando, where Alabama will meet North Carolina and Florida A&M in November, and a marquee ACC/SEC Challenge game against Georgia Tech on Dec. 3 at Coleman Coliseum.
Exhibition games against Alabama‑Huntsville and Mississippi College precede the regular season, giving the new coaching staff a chance to fine‑tune before the November 2 opener.
Alabama’s recent history adds optimism: the Crimson Tide posted a 14‑0 start to the 2025‑26 nonconference schedule, the best in program annals, finished 24‑11 overall, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament before a loss to Louisville. The team has reached the NCAA Tournament in five of the past six seasons and earned 28 votes in the final USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll, the highest tally among teams outside the top 25.
With a blend of seasoned veterans and fresh leadership, Alabama aims to translate its early‑season momentum into a deep run in March, hoping to capitalize on a schedule that balances regional rivalries with national exposure.