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Alabama hires former assistant Pauline Love as head coach

By Thomson Reuters Apr 1, 2026 | 3:40 PM

By Field Level Media

Alabama hired former Crimson Tide assistant Pauline Love as the new women’s basketball coach on Wednesday.

Love replaces Kristy ​Curry, who departed last week after 13 ‌seasons to become the head coach at South Florida.

Love was the associate head coach at Oklahoma in 2025-26 after one season on the Alabama sidelines.

“We are thrilled to ‌welcome ​Pauline back to Tuscaloosa,” athletic ⁠director Greg Byrne said. “Throughout ⁠this process, we spoke with several people, and she quickly rose to the top of that list. Pauline’s vision for this program and ​preparation to lead Alabama women’s basketball is incredibly impressive, and we look forward to seeing ⁠the Tide continue to rise ⁠under her leadership.”

The Crimson Tide finished ​24-11 this season after losing to Louisville in the ​second round of the Women’s NCAA Tournament.

Love helped ‌Oklahoma reach the Sweet 16, finishing 26-8.

“I’m incredibly honored to lead the Alabama women’s basketball program,” Love said. “This is a place with a championship ⁠standard, and we’re going to build a team that reflects that every day through toughness, togetherness and trust. ⁠I’m excited to ‌get to work with our players, ⁠connect with this community and build ​something ‌special in Tuscaloosa. I want to ​thank Greg ⁠Byrne, President (Peter) Mohler and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity.”

Love also worked as an assistant coach at Arkansas, McNeese and her alma mater, Southern Miss, where she was a three-time All-Conference USA selection.

–Field ​Level Media