VCU Women’s Basketball: Coach Beth O’Boyle Out, Kirk Crawford Named Interim Head Coach

Richmond, VA – Virginia⁤ Commonwealth University (VCU)⁤ has announced a leadership change in its women’s basketball program, effective instantly. Head Coach Beth O’Boyle, who⁤ has led the Rams for 12 seasons, will not finish the 2025-26 season and will ⁤not return for future seasons [[3]].

O’Boyle’s Tenure at VCU

Hired in 2014, O’Boyle compiled a record of 191-168, becoming the⁤ winningest coach in VCU women’s basketball history.Her teams achieved notable success,including a regular-season Atlantic 10 (A-10) ⁤title in 2019 and a conference tournament championship with an NCAA⁤ Tournament appearance in 2021 [[3]]. The 2023-24 season saw a remarkable turnaround for the Rams, posting a 26-win season after a challenging 7-22 record the previous year.

recent Performance and Decision

The Rams currently hold an 8-15 overall record and a 4-7 record in the A-10⁣ Conference as ⁤of February 2, 2026 [[3]]. VCU Athletic Director Ed McLaughlin expressed gratitude for O’Boyle’s service and dedication to the student-athletes, stating the university will begin a national search for a new head coach [[3]].

Kirk Crawford⁣ Named Interim Coach

Assistant ⁤coach Kirk Crawford will assume ⁣the role of interim head coach for the remainder of the 2025-26 season [[3]]. He will⁢ be responsible for leading the team through⁣ the remainder of their A-10 schedule and any ⁢potential postseason play.

Looking Ahead

The search for a new head coach will be crucial for the‍ VCU women’s basketball program as it aims to build on⁣ its past successes and compete for future A-10 championships. The⁤ university seeks a leader who ⁣can continue to foster a ⁣positive⁢ and competitive habitat for its student-athletes. Virginia Commonwealth University offers a wide range of academic programs [[1]] and boasts strong academic and athletic facilities, including VCU Libraries [[2]], making it an attractive destination for coaching candidates.