UM women’s basketball coach Katie Meier retires, will stay at school as special advisor
A year after leading the University of Miami women’s basketball team on a historic run to the program’s first Elite Eight, Katie Meier announced she is retiring as head coach of the Hurricanes after 19 seasons at the school.
Meier, the winningest coach in UM history (men’s and women’s) and one of the most passionate in any sport, won 362 games during her tenure. She signed a contract extension through the 2027-28 season last May, but decided, at age 56, that it was time to walk away from coaching and continue using her leadership skills in a different way.
She will take on a new role with Miami Athletics as a special advisor to the Vice President/Director of Athletics. Her duties are expected to involve fundraising, mentoring, and promoting women’s sports.
“Nineteen years ago, I was offered my dream job to be the head coach of the University of Miami, and while I have absolutely loved living that dream, it is with a heart full of pride and gratitude that I announce my retirement from coaching,” Meier said. “Miami is an incredibly special place, and my journey here has been an honor and a privilege. Today is a day to celebrate and reflect on the amazing success that was achieved through collaboration with outstanding people.”
Meier has said in the past that her “special sauce” throughout her career was meeting a kid in middle school, meeting the parents when the kid is in high school, recruit them for years, build a relationship, and then they make a deep commitment to come to the school and proudly wear the “U” across their chest and do everything possible to help the Hurricanes win.
The college sports landscape has changed in recent years with the transfer portal and Name, Image, Likeness deals, so the relationships between schools, coaches and athletes are more transactional. She, and many other coaches, including UM men’s coach Jim Larranaga, have lamented the fact that it is harder to build chemistry and develop players and relationships in this climate.
She will explain her decision at a press conference Friday morning. Reached by phone Thursday, Meier shared similar sentiments to what she expressed in the farewell she posted on social media.
“What I built my entire career on is relationships, deep investment into individuals, universities and family, and Miami’s been that model,” she said. “Only two women’s coaches in 30-whatever years. That is why I came to UM in the first place. I took that torch and moved it forward and am humbled to have been given that role. Now, it’s a little more transactional, much more short-term.
“The landscape of college athletics is everchanging, and there is never a perfect time to make this decision, but I felt in my heart this was the time. I hope I can help UM navigate it all and provide insight.”
The UM men’s team, which reached the Final Four last year, and the women’s team, which reached the Elite Eight, both find themselves rebuilding this spring after several players entered the transfer portal.
Meier led Miami to 11 20-win seasons, 10 NCAA Tournament berths and the program’s first-ever trip to the Elite Eight in 2023. She was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year in 2011 and the 2013 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year.
“Katie has done a remarkable job leading our women’s basketball program for nearly two decades,” Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Radakovich said. “Her list of accomplishments speaks for itself, but her legacy extends far beyond the court. She has been an incredible ambassador not only for Miami basketball but for the sport of women’s basketball and for the University of Miami.
“We are excited to continue working with Katie as a member of the Hurricanes Family.”
Her UM coaching peers were happy to hear she is not leaving the athletic department.
“I’m excited that she’s still going to be in a leadership position in the athletic department; she’s a born leader and is going to be a winner in whatever she does” said UM women’s tennis coach Paige Yaroshuk-Tews, who is one of Meier’s closest friends. “But it’s a huge loss because she’s such a great coach and an incredible mentor to these kids.
“She’s a great friend and will continue to be a great friend, but head coaches’ meetings and time on campus won’t be as much fun for sure.”
UM men’s basketball coach Jim Larranaga said he had no idea Meier was planning to retire, but believes she will continue to have a massive impact in the athletic department.
“Katie’s one of the great women’s basketball coaches in the country, an icon, a legend at University of Miami,” Larranaga said. “She has accomplished more than anyone could have asked for, producing not only winning teams, but she’s also a role model for the whole UM community. She built a great culture and she’s a tremendous leader and spokesperson, so even though she’s not coaching a team, she can still be a great leader in the department.”
The Hurricanes earned 13 postseason berths over Meier’s 19 seasons, including 10 straight from 2009-10 to 2018-19. In 2022-23, Meier’s Hurricanes advanced to the NCAA Tournament Elite Eight for the first time in program history, defeating eighth-seeded Oklahoma State, top-seeded Indiana and fourth-seeded Villanova before bowing to eventual national champion LSU in the regional final.
Meier was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame in 2017. She coached 16 All-ACC honorees, five All-America selections and six WNBA draft picks during her tenure in Coral Gables.
The Hurricanes also excelled in the classroom throughout Meier’s 19 seasons as head coach as 17 student-athletes earned ACC All-Academic honors with four earning multi-year accolades.
“Katie loves this university, loves this athletic department, she’s so supportive of everyone, of all these athletes, not just her own,” Yaroshuk-Tews said. “Even the girls on my team that have gotten to know her over the years, they really look up to her and like her. She can continue mentoring in her new role.”
Meier, who was the longest tenured head coach in the ACC, is one of just nine coaches to record more than 150 ACC wins and her nine seasons with 20-plus victories ranks 21st among all active head coaches and 12th among active Power 6 Conference head coaches.
Prior to arriving at Miami, Meier was the head coach at Charlotte for four seasons, which included an NCAA Tournament berth in 2003, when she was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Meier was a standout player at Duke, earning Freshman All-America honors in 1986 and District 2 All-America accolades in 1990. She was also a 1988 Academic All-American. In 2002, Meier was named to the inaugural induction class in the Blue Devils’ Hall of Honor. That same year she was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team and in 2006 she was recognized as an ACC Legend.
