Kristy Curry Joins USF as Head Coach, Leaves Alabama After Successful 13-Year Tenure

March 24, 2026
Kristy Curry Joins USF as Head Coach, Leaves Alabama After Successful 13-Year Tenure
  • South Florida hires Kristy Curry as its new head coach, bringing her from Alabama after 13 seasons where she built a steady run of NCAA appearances and strong 20-win seasons.

  • USF conducted a national search and pursued a robust candidate pool, aiming to raise the program’s profile and competitiveness in the AAC and national tournaments.

  • Curry had extended her Alabama contract through 2030, with a salary of $700,000, while Alabama reported substantial revenues and expenses for the women’s program in recent years.

  • USF’s athletic program features 21 varsity teams and a history of conference success and academic achievement, highlighting the program’s fit for a high-profile hire.

  • While reports exist, there is no in-depth standalone summary available focused solely on Curry’s departure from Alabama to USF in the current material.

  • Attendance at Alabama home games this season averaged around 2,950, ranking among the lowest in the SEC, a contextual note for expectations around program change.

  • Alabama’s athletic director Greg Byrne announced a national search for a new head coach, underscoring the program’s ongoing commitment to growing and investing in women’s basketball.

  • Curry’s departure comes as USF’s program turnover, following the exit of longtime USF coach Michele Woods-Baxter, opens the door for a high-profile candidate to elevate the Bulls in the AAC and NCAA postseason.

  • This is a developing story and more details will be provided as they become available.

  • The broader sports page will continue to cover multiple topics, with several segments and updates spanning football, basketball, and other sports.

  • News of Curry’s move originated with On3’s Talia Goodman, with prior Northwestern links later clarified through Curry’s comments.

  • The coaching market in the region is shifting, with ripple effects across SEC programs as schools reassess staffing and strategy after Curry’s move.

Summary based on 21 sources


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