Kentucky extends Elzy through 2027 after SEC women's title

Posted April 04, 2022 7:00 am

The Associated Press

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) - Kentucky women's basketball coach Kyra Elzy had her contract extended through 2027 after she guided the Wildcats to their first Southeastern Conference Tournament championship in 40 years.

Terms of the contract were not immediately available.

In a release, the second-year coach thanked athletic director Mitch Barnhart, women's basketball administrator Tiffany Hayden and President Eli Capilouto for their belief in her and for having a shared vision for the program.

"We have a core group of talented and driven players returning along with an exciting group of signees that cannot wait to wear those eight letters across the front of their jersey," Elzy said.

Elzy was interim coach for a brief period before officially taking over for Matthew Mitchell in December 2020 after a 6-0 start. She has a 37-21 record at Kentucky, leading the Wildcats back from losing eight of nine at midseason to 10 consecutive league wins - including a 64-62 upset of top-ranked and eventual national champion South Carolina in the SEC Tournament title game.

The Wildcats, who finished 19-12 this season, earned their second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth but fell 69-62 to Princeton in the first round. Elzy is the first Wildcats women's coach to start a tenure with consecutive NCAA appearances.

Barnhart said the program's 'œimpressive'ť turnaround was a strong step in building the championship vision. He added, 'œWe're excited to extend Kyra and continue our investment in women's basketball and in her as a coach and positive role model in our community.'ť

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Kentucky head coach Kyra Elzy yells to her team as they play against Princeton in the first half of a college basketball game in the first round of the NCAA tournament in Bloomington, Ind., Saturday, March 19, 2022. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) The Associated Press

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