Robert Morris women’s basketball has named Chandler McCabe as the program’s new head coach.
The hire comes after longtime head coach Charlie Buscaglia stepped down last month after a 6-24 record.
McCabe joins RMU after spending 2023-24 at the University of Central Florida, where she was an assistant to head coach Sytia Messer during the Knights’ first season in the Big 12.
Before returning to her hometown of Orlando, she spent two seasons as the associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at George Mason. She helped lead the program to the Patriots’ first winning season in 17 years and the team’s first .500 record in Atlantic 10 Conference play.
“We are thrilled to welcome Chandler McCabe to the Colonial athletics program,” Chris King, VP & Director of Athletics, said. “She separated herself from other candidates with her energetic and enthusiastic attitude about becoming the next Colonials head women’s basketball coach. She has a proven track record of success, having worked with multiple outstanding Division I programs. Chandler knows how to win at the mid-major Division I level and understands the importance of building a fence around RMU in recruiting to bring talented players to Moon Township.”
In 2018, McCabe was recognized by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association as one of its Thirty Under 30 honorees, a program created to recognize 30 up-and-coming women’s basketball coaches age 30 and younger.
“Coach McCabe was a loyal member of my coaching staff for 10 years and she helped me build championship teams,” George Mason Head Coach Vanessa Blair-Lewis said. “She is a relentless recruiter who seeks to develop meaningful relationships with her players both on and off the court. She is a consummate professional, a skilled tactician who possesses a passion and enthusiasm for this game that is unmatched. Coach McCabe is a tremendous coach but an even better person. RMU is blessed to have her as their new head coach.”
McCabe is the first female head coach in the program since 2003.
McCabe will be introduced at the UPMC Events Center at 11 a.m tomorrow.
The women’s basketball program looks to rebound from 2023-24, a program that is currently on a record 18-game losing streak.
