The University of Arizona introduced Becky Burke as the new women’s basketball head coach on Friday, April 11 at 4 p.m. in McKale Center. Burke, now the 10th head coach in program history, previously coached at the University at Buffalo and finished the 2024-2025 season by winning the WNIT.

“This is a great day for Arizona Athletics and this is a great day for our women’s basketball program,” Desireé Reed-Francois said, vice president and director of athletics.

“I didn’t want a job, I wanted the job. Being head coach at the University of Arizona is the job,” head coach Becky Burke said.

When searching for the next leader of the women’s basketball program, Reed-Francois listed five characteristics the university was looking for.

“A proven winner with a track record of success and a hunger to compete […] an elite recruiter […] a coach with passion and skill for player development both on and off the court […] someone of high character, low ego, high outcome and energy […] finally, someone who can thrive in the modern era of college athletics,” Reed-Francois said.

“We met with exceptional candidates across the country, we listened closely, we evaluated thoroughly and through it all, coach Becky Burke stood out.”

Burke mentioned how the game of basketball has shaped her career, and she wants to pay it forward.

“My goal every day is to impact lives, shape young women in the way that I was impacted […] and it’s my job that continues,” Burke said.

The former Buffalo head coach believes that with the right mindset and support, she can take Arizona to compete for national championships.

“We do it together, it’s truly gonna take everybody […] if we can do this all together and we really really believe what Arizona women’s basketball can be, I don’t see any reason that we don’t just claim our spot amongst the nation’s elite, that’s where we belong, that’s why I am here and that’s what I promise you every single day,” Burke said.

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