A New Chapter for the Bruins
Shannon LeBeauf, the former UCLA Women’s Basketball assistant who helped guide the program to a 321‑143 record over 14 seasons, has been re‑instated as associate head coach for the 2026‑27 campaign. Her return was announced this week, marking the culmination of a career that includes two No. 1 recruiting classes and a place in the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame.
LeBeauf’s coaching journey spans multiple power‑house programs. She spent five years at Duke, where she contributed to Atlantic Coast Conference regular‑season titles in 2005 and 2007 and helped bring in the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class in 2005 and No. 3 in 2007. Prior to Duke, she was an assistant at the University of Southern California and at the University of Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and communication studies.
During her UCLA tenure she coached five All‑Americans, including future WNBA players, and was instrumental in securing two top‑ranked recruiting hauls. Her impact extended beyond the court, as she was honored with the 1998 Robin Roberts/WBCA Sports Communication Scholarship and the 1998 NCAA Women’s Enhancement Post‑Graduate Scholarship.
The Bruins’ athletic director, Cori Close, praised LeBeuf’s blend of experience and player development, noting that her presence will ‘elevate the program’s competitive edge and community outreach.’ With a roster that features rising stars such as Kiki Rice and Lauren Betts, the team looks to build on recent successes and contend for national prominence.