The head coach of Florida Gulf Coast University's women’s basketball team is stepping down after a first-round loss in the NCAA Tournament, but not before leading the Eagles to an undefeated conference season and their ninth straight Atlantic Sun Conference Tournament championship.
According to Florida Gulf Coast University, Coach Chelsea Lyles announced her decision Monday, marking the end of a 17-year tenure with the program.
Lyles, a former student-athlete and longtime assistant, took over as head coach early in the season after the departure of Karl Smesko to the NBA's Atlanta Dream.
In her first season at the helm, Lyles guided the team to a 30-win campaign, earning ASUN Coach of the Year honors and securing a spot in the NCAA tournament for the 11th time in program history.
“Over the past 17 years as an Eagle, I have made unforgettable memories, learned big lessons, experienced the joy of success and the mantle of leadership,” Lyles said in a statement. “With mixed emotions, I’ve come to the decision that it is time for me to leave the nest.”
Lyles joined the Eagles as a student-athlete in 2008 and became an assistant coach in 2011.
She served six seasons as associate head coach and contributed to a 148-20 record before her promotion. Under her leadership this year, the team went 18-0 in conference play.
Lyles expressed gratitude to her players, fans, former coaches, and university leadership, adding that FGCU will always be home.
FGCU has not yet announced plans for a new head coach.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
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