Boston College Women’s Basketball Coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee Replaced After Eight Seasons

ByCoach

After eight seasons at the helm, Joanna Bernabei-McNamee is stepping down as head coach of Boston College’s women’s basketball team.

Following a rough 90-65 season-ending loss at Syracuse, Boston College announced it wouldn’t extend Bernabei-McNamee’s contract.

The Eagles have already kicked off a national search for her replacement. They’re hoping to find a strong candidate who can breathe new life into the program.

BOOK AWAY GAME TRAVEL NOW!
Find the best accommodations
Check availability at 5* hotels, guest houses and apartments rated "superb" or "exceptional" by visitors just like you.
NO RESERVATION FEES
CHECK AVAILABILITY FOR YOUR DATES HERE
 

Let’s take a look at what led to her departure, some highs and lows from her time in charge, and who might be in the running to take over.

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s Tenure at Boston College

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee came on board in 2018, right after Erik Johnson stepped down. She got off to a promising start, but things got tricky pretty quickly.

She struggled to keep top players, especially with the transfer portal changing the game. Taylor Soule, Maria Gakdeng, and Taina Mair all left for other ACC teams, and that really hurt the Eagles’ chances.

Early Promise and Missed Opportunities

Her second season in 2019-20 looked bright with an 11-7 ACC record. The Eagles were on track for the NCAA Tournament, but then COVID-19 shut everything down.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Two years later, the team finished 21-12 overall and 10-8 in the ACC. They just missed an NCAA Tournament spot—literally the first team left out.

Struggles and Departure

But those early signs of hope faded fast. This year, the Eagles went 5-25 and managed only one win in ACC play.

That’s the lowest win total for Boston College since they joined the ACC back in 2005. At that point, the program decided it was time for a change.

Challenges for the Next Coach

The next coach is definitely in for a challenge. Several sources have called this one of the toughest jobs, resource-wise, in the ACC.

Whoever takes over will need to juggle the transfer portal, NIL, and revenue sharing, all while trying to rebuild some competitive fire.

Potential Candidates for the Role

Plenty of names are already floating around as possible successors. Here’s a look at some of the top candidates:

  • Dave Magarity: Former Army coach who led the Black Knights to a 25-8 record last season. Magarity left to be closer to family in Massachusetts, but word is he’s open to coaching again.
  • Ty Grace: Head coach at Howard for 11 seasons, Grace has two conference titles and took the Bison to the NCAA Tournament in 2022. Her northeast ties make her a strong option.
  • Alisa Kresge: At Vermont, Kresge has turned the Catamounts into a real force in America East. Vermont’s made three NCAA Tournaments in four years under her watch.
  • Stephanie Gaitley: Now leading Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU), Gaitley brings a ton of experience and a solid track record.
  • Rodney Rogan: Johns Hopkins’ head coach, Rogan has shown real coaching chops and could be a contender.
  • Steve Pogue: Assistant at St. John’s, Pogue is seen as an up-and-comer who might inject some new energy.
  • Roneeka Hodges: Assistant coach for the Connecticut Sun, Hodges brings both college and pro experience to the table.
  • Neil Harrow: Head coach at Long Island University (LIU), Harrow has proven he can build competitive squads.
  • Tricia Fabbri: Quinnipiac’s head coach, Fabbri has a strong history of success and could be a good fit.
  • Jesyka Burks-Wiley: Now at Florida International University (FIU), Burks-Wiley has made big strides with her current team and might carry that momentum to Boston College.

Conclusion

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s departure really feels like the end of an era for Boston College women’s basketball. Her time with the team had some bright spots, but she faced a lot of tough challenges along the way.

Boston College now has to find a new head coach. Whoever steps in will have to deal with limited resources and the ongoing struggle to keep players on the roster.

Still, with the right leadership, there’s a real shot for Boston College to rebuild. Maybe they can even become a real contender in the ACC again—though, that’s always easier said than done.

For more details on Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s departure and possible coaching candidates, check out the full article on USA Today.

Related Posts