McNeese State University announced on Mar. 16 that Ayla Guzzardo, head coach of the McNeese Cowgirls women’s basketball team, has signed a five-year contract and extension following a record-breaking season for the program.
The new agreement will keep Guzzardo at the helm through the 2031 season. The decision comes after the Cowgirls achieved an 18-win improvement from their previous season, finishing with a 28-5 record and capturing the Southland Conference regular season championship with a school and league-record of 21 wins to just one loss. The team is set to make its first appearance in the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) this week against Texas A&M.
Heath Schroyer, McNeese Vice President and Director of Athletics, said, “It’s an honor to sign Coach Guzzardo to a new contract and extension. She has completely transformed this program and there is not a doubt in my mind that there will be more championships in our future as well as NCAA Tournament bids. It’s clear that we have one of the best coaches in women’s basketball, and I couldn’t be more excited about the future of our program under Coach Guzzardo.”
Under Guzzardo’s leadership, the Cowgirls set several new records this season, including most overall wins (28), most conference wins (21), and most consecutive victories (21) during the second half of the season. The team’s turnaround ranks as the third-best single-season improvement in Division I women’s basketball history.
Guzzardo said, “I want to thank the leadership at McNeese for believing in me and our staff to continue leading this program. I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes and the culture we’re building here. The support from the McNeese community means a lot to our team. I’m excited about the future of McNeese women’s basketball, and I’m committed to continuing to grow this program the right way. Geaux Pokes!”
Attendance also reached new heights for McNeese during the 2025-26 season, leading all Southland Conference teams with an average of 2,645 fans per game—a school record—and ranking twelfth nationally for arena capacity filled.
