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VCU Fires Beth O'Boyle, Names Kirk Crawford Interim Women's Basketball Coach

A national search begins following a sub-.500 season, with program resources positioning the job as an attractive target.

Overview

  • VCU announced it will not renew O'Boyle's contract and that she will not coach the rest of the season.
  • Assistant Kirk Crawford was appointed interim head coach for the remainder of 2025-26.
  • O'Boyle departs as the program's winningest coach at 191-168 after 12 seasons, highlighted by the 2019 A-10 regular-season title and the 2021 tournament crown with an NCAA berth.
  • The Rams are 8-15 overall and 4-7 in the A-10 this year following a 7-22 season in 2022-23 and a 26-win turnaround in 2023-24.
  • Athletic director Ed McLaughlin said a national search starts immediately, with USA Today reporting prior outreach to candidates and naming options such as Gabe Lazo, Neil Harrow, Erin Dickerson-Davis and Roneeka Hodges, while a $5 million NIL commitment is cited as a draw.