UCF introduces Gabe Lazo as women's basketball coach: 5 things to know
UCF hired former Tennessee assistant Gabe Lazo as its women's basketball coach on April 4.
ORLANDO — In the space of a week, Gabe Lazo held three separate jobs, the last of which he considers a "destinational" chance. Lazo jumped at the opportunity to join Kim Mulkey's staff at LSU after a two-year spell at Tennessee. But then, the UCF head coaching position opened March 30, and the 41-year-old took immediate notice.
"I signed the contract, and I don't even know how many days later, the UCF job opens. And I'm like, 'Whoa,'" Lazo said. "This is a dream opportunity coming back here (to Florida).
A couple days after the job opened, they contacted my agent and things got real, and they went very fast. And I'm grateful for that. " Introduced as the 14th head coach in program history, Lazo takes over a team that has struggled to generate results or interest since transitioning into the Big 12.
The Knights went 10-44 in the league under Sytia Messer , who was relieved of duties after four seasons in charge, and were dead last in average home attendance in 2025-26 (1,094 fans per game). Across nine seasons as a Division I assistant, Lazo's teams posted a 159-119 record. This is his first head coaching job at the college level.
Continue to the original source for the full article.