Aaron Roussell Named Virginia Head Women’s Basketball Coach

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – University of Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams announced today (April 7) the hiring of Aaron Roussell as head women’s basketball coach. Roussell becomes the seventh head coach in the program’s history.

“We are excited to name Aaron Roussell as our new head women’s basketball coach,” Williams said. “Aaron is a proven winner who embodies the University’s values of integrity, leadership, academic excellence and student-athlete development. We look forward to welcoming Aaron, his wife Molly, and their three children to Grounds for a new era of Virginia Women’s Basketball."

Roussell (pronounced roo-SELL), spent the last seven seasons at Richmond, leading the Spiders to a 148-72 record and three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances. Richmond won the 2024 Atlantic-10 Tournament and captured back-to-back outright regular-season A-10 championships in 2024 and 2025.

“My family and I are beyond excited to lead the UVA Women’s Basketball program into a bright and prosperous future,” Roussell said. “We are well aware of the rich history and tradition of this program, and we look forward to putting the UVA program into the nation’s elite on a consistent basis. I would like to thank President Scott Beardsley, Carla Williams and her staff who have been amazing during this search. I am eager to get to work with them as we look to pack JPJ on our way to creating amazing memories with the UVA faithful.”

Virginia is Roussell’s fourth stint as a collegiate head coach. Over the past 22 seasons, he has compiled a career record of 460-194 including stops at Bucknell (2012-19) and Division III Chicago (2004-12).

Twice named the Atlantic-10 Coach of the Year, Roussell guided Richmond to its first winning season in six years in 2020-21. Three seasons later in 2023-24, he led the Spiders to their first Atlantic-10 championship and the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2005.

In his final four seasons in Richmond, Roussell coached the Spiders to four consecutive 20-win seasons and three consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament, including the program’s first-ever tournament win in 2025.

In his seven seasons at Bucknell, Roussell’s teams were 151-72 and won Patriot League tournament championships in 2017 and 2019. The Bison also won Patriot League regular-season titles in 2016, 2017 and 2019. For his efforts, Roussell was twice named Patriot League Coach of the Year.

Roussell coached eight seasons at Division III Chicago, compiling a 161-50 record. His teams made four appearances in the NCAA Division III tournament reaching the third round twice and making one trip to the national quarterfinals. He was named University Athletic Association Coach of the Year in 2008, 2011 and 2012, while earning WBCA Regional Coach of the Year Honors in 2011 and 2012.

Roussell graduated from Iowa in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications and political science. He earned his master’s degree from Minnesota State in sports administration in 2004.

Roussell and his wife, Molly, have a son, Riley, and two daughters, Kelsey and Kendall.

What They're Saying:
Dawn Staley - South Carolina Head Women's Basketball Coach
“Congratulations to Aaron Roussell, the leadership at the University of Virginia, and everyone connected to the program. UVA has always stood for excellence, integrity, and pride. I know that will continue under Aaron’s leadership. His teams play a great brand of basketball. They are always competitive, disciplined, and a reflection of strong team culture. I wish him all the best knowing the program is in good hands.”

Cori Close - Michael Prince Family UCLA Women's Head Basketball Coach
“Aaron is an elite coach, and he is a phenomenal relationship builder. He creatively gets the most out of his players and I have no doubt that he will lead Virginia to national prominence very quickly.”

Teri Moren - Indiana Head Women's Basketball Coach
“Aaron is an excellent hire for Virginia. His enthusiasm and passion for our sport is top notch. He’s committed to doing things the right way, which has led to success in each stop of his career.”

The Aaron Roussell File
2019-2026 – Richmond – Head Coach (148-72)
2012-2019 – Bucknell – Head Coach (151-72)
2004-2012 – Chicago – Head Coach (161-50)
2002-2004 – Minnesota State – Graduate Assistant

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