Brian Porth has been named associate head coach of the Pepperdine Waves women's basketball program, a move that takes effect ahead of the 2026 season.
Under his previous role as assistant coach, the team transformed from an eight‑win campaign to a 21‑win season, marking one of the most dramatic turnarounds in Division I history.
A Historic Postseason Run
The surge propelled the Waves into the Super 16 of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament and secured a perfect 2‑0 record in the inaugural postseason games hosted at Firestone Fieldhouse.
Finishing sixth in the West Coast Conference, the program posted its highest conference standing in seven years, while a 9‑3 non‑conference start highlighted a recruiting overhaul that brought in four freshmen and eight transfers.
The NET rankings reflected the fourth‑best improvement nationwide, climbing from 285 to 132 between the 2024‑25 and 2025‑26 seasons, underscoring the impact of Porth’s work.
Leadership and Legacy
Katie Faulkner, the head coach, praised Porth’s tireless commitment, noting his dedication to student‑athletes’ growth on and off the court, and recalled his 2‑1 stint as interim head coach during her brief absence last season.
Looking ahead, the program aims to build on its momentum, blending experienced returnees with the newly integrated talent to pursue another deep postseason run.