North Carolina coach Courtney Banghart signs 5-year contract extension

North Carolina women’s basketball coach Courtney Banghart signed a five-year contract extension this week, tying her to the program through the 2027-2028 season. The school announced the extension Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

In four seasons as the Tar Heels’ head coach, Banghart — who came to Chapel Hill by way of Princeton — has led the team to a 76-43 record and three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Sweet 16 in 2022. This past season, although the Tar Heels bowed out of postseason play in the second round, Banghart also captured the program’s 50th NCAA Tournament victory.
Barnhart’s will be paid a base salary of $350,000 for the 2023-24 season, per the new agreement, with a raise to $400,000 annually over the remainder of the extension.
North Carolina is ranked No. 16 in The Athletic’s too-early top-25 for next season.

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Backstory

Banghart was initially hired in April 2019 to replace Hall of Famer Sylvia Hatchell, who resigned earlier the same month. Hatchell’s resignation came after an external investigation into the program found she had made “racially insensitive” comments to players, not to mention pushing them to play through injury. The unrest stemming from that investigation — evidenced by a rash of transfers out of the program — contributed to UNC’s decline over Hatchell’s last four seasons, when it posted a 62-65 record.

Banghart has since revived the program, with the Tar Heels rising as high as No. 6 in the AP poll this past season. Behind all-ACC first-team members Deja Kelly and Alyssa Ustby, UNC won six games against top-25 teams in 2022-23, its most since 2014-15.

What they’re saying

“We have made significant progress in bringing Carolina back into the national spotlight: Carmichael (Arena) is rocking, we are recruiting the best of the best, and we’ve solidified a strong foundation amidst the changing landscape,” Banghart said in a statement. “That said, my family and I are eager for more. This community has totally wrapped its arms around us, and you will continue to get our best as we stay locked in to the pursuit of our next National Championship.”

UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham added in a statement: “When we conducted our coaching search four years ago, we were convinced that coach Banghart was the right leader for our program — and I feel even more strongly about that now. She is passionate about teaching student-athletes how to win on and off the court, has embraced the Carolina community, and has worked tirelessly to propel our women’s basketball program to back to the nation’s top echelon. We are pleased that she’ll be our coach for years to come.”