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Kevin McGuff
Kevin McGuff
from Wikipedia

Kevin Patrick McGuff (born December 3, 1969)[1] is an American college basketball coach who is the current head women's basketball coach at Ohio State University after spending two seasons as head coach of the University of Washington. Prior to his time in Seattle, McGuff was the head coach at Xavier University until April 2011.[2]

Key Information

Coaching career

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McGuff began his coaching career as an assistant coach at Miami University where the Lady Hawks went 54–30 during his tenure in Oxford, Ohio.[3]

He served as an assistant coach at Notre Dame. During his six years as an Irish assistant coach under Muffet McGraw, Notre Dame went 160–39, including a national title in 2001.

Xavier University

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McGuff spent nine seasons at Xavier, compiling an overall record of 213–73, giving him the most wins of any Xavier women's coach. The Musketeers made the postseason in each of McGuff's seasons as head coach, with the last five being in the NCAA tournament. During this stretch, Xavier's best run was in 2010, when the Musketeers lost in the Elite Eight to Stanford.[4]

University of Washington

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Kevin McGuff's tenure in Washington was short. 2 WNIT appearances is what he brought the Huskies.

Ohio State University

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McGuff was hired by Ohio State on April 16, 2013[5] to replace Jim Foster. He was formally introduced at a press conference on April 17, 2013.[6] Ohio State owed Washington $1.75 million as part of McGuff's buyout clause from his contract with UW.[7]

Head coaching record

[edit]
Statistics overview
Season Team Overall Conference Standing Postseason
Xavier Musketeers (Atlantic 10 Conference) (2002–2011)
2002–03 Xavier 20–10 11–5 3rd (2nd West) NCAA 1st Round
2003–04 Xavier 17–13 8–8 T-6th (4th West) WNIT First Round
2004–05 Xavier 22–10 13–3 T-2nd (1st West) WNIT Quarterfinals
2005–06 Xavier 21–9 11–5 4th WNIT Round of 16
2006–07 Xavier 26–8 11–3 3rd NCAA 1st Round
2007–08 Xavier 24–9 11–3 3rd NCAA 1st Round
2008–09 Xavier 25–7 13–1 1st NCAA 1st Round
2009–10 Xavier 30–4 14–0 1st NCAA Elite Eight
2010–11 Xavier 29–3 14–0 1st NCAA 2nd Round
Xavier: 214–73 (.746) 106–28 (.791)
Washington Huskies (Pac-12) (2011–2013)
2011–12 Washington 20–14 8–10 T-7th WNIT Quarterfinals
2012–13 Washington 21–12 11–7 5th WNIT 2nd Round
Washington: 41–26 (.612) 19–17(.528)
Ohio State Buckeyes (Big Ten) (2013–present)
2013–14 Ohio State 17–18 5–11 T-8th
2014–15 Ohio State 24–11 13–5 3rd NCAA 2nd Round
2015–16 Ohio State 26–8 15–3 2nd NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2016–17 Ohio State 28–7* 15–1* T–1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2017–18 Ohio State 28–7** 13–3** 1st NCAA 2nd Round
2018–19 Ohio State 14–15*** 10–8*** 5th WNIT 1st Round
2019–20 Ohio State 21–12 11–7 T-5th No postseason held
2020–21 Ohio State 13–7 9–7 7th Self-imposed ban
2021–22 Ohio State 25–7 14–4 T–1st NCAA Sweet Sixteen
2022–23 Ohio State 28–8 12–6 4th NCAA Elite Eight
2023–24 Ohio State 26–6 16–2 1st NCAA 2nd Round
2024–25 Ohio State 26–7 13–5 T–3rd NCAA 2nd Round
Ohio State: 224–109 (.673)**** 116–62 (.652)****
Total: 479–208 (.697)****

      National champion         Postseason invitational champion  
      Conference regular season champion         Conference regular season and conference tournament champion
      Division regular season champion       Division regular season and conference tournament champion
      Conference tournament champion

* Record adjusted to 18–6 (8–1 in conference) after games vacated
** Record adjusted to 0–6 (0–3 in conference) after games vacated
***Record adjusted to 0–14 (0–8 in conference) after games vacated
****Not including vacated games; McGuff's unofficial record is 224–100 at Ohio State and 479–199 overall

Personal life

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Kevin attended Saint Joseph's College in Indiana. McGuff and his wife, Letitia, have six children.[8]

On May 6, 2025, McGuff was arrested and charged with operating a vehicle while intoxicated in Dublin, Ohio.[9]

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kevin McGuff (born December 3, 1969) is an American college basketball coach who has served as the head coach of the Ohio State University women's basketball team since April 16, 2013. A graduate of Saint Joseph's College (Indiana) in 1992, McGuff has amassed a career head coaching record of 479–208 (.697) over 23 seasons at three major programs as of the end of the 2024–25 season. His tenure at Ohio State marks his longest head coaching stint, where he has led the Buckeyes to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and earned recognition as a top recruiter in women's college basketball. McGuff began his coaching career as an assistant at the from 1996 to 2002, contributing to the Fighting Irish's 2001 NCAA Championship, a 1997 appearance, and two Sweet 16 runs in 1998 and 2000. During this period, he helped develop standout players and established a reputation for strong defensive strategies and player development. In 2002, McGuff was hired as head coach at , where he spent nine seasons and compiled a 214–73 record (.746), the most wins in program history at the time. Under his leadership, qualified for the postseason every year, including seven NCAA Tournament berths and two regular-season titles in 2010 and 2011. He departed Xavier in 2011 to become head coach at the , guiding the Huskies to a 41–26 record (.612) over two seasons and securing an NCAA Tournament invitation in 2013. Since taking over at Ohio State as the program's eighth head coach, McGuff has posted a 224–109 record (.673) through the 2024–25 season, including a program-best 28–8 mark and an appearance in 2022–23—the Buckeyes' deepest NCAA run in 30 years—and a 26–7 record with an NCAA Tournament berth in 2024–25. He was named Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2024 after leading Ohio State to the conference regular-season title, a quarterfinal appearance in the conference tournament, and a 26–6 overall record in 2023–24. In May 2025, McGuff was charged with operating a while impaired (OWI); he is scheduled to change his plea in November 2025. McGuff's emphasis on disciplined play and high recruiting standards has positioned the Buckeyes as consistent contenders in the Big Ten and nationally.

Early years

High school career

Kevin McGuff was born on December 3, 1969, in Hamilton, Ohio. He attended Badin High School in Hamilton from 1984 to 1988, where he played basketball for the school's varsity team. As a senior in the 1987–88 season, McGuff was a key contributor to the Badin Rams boys' basketball team, which achieved a perfect 28–0 record and won the Ohio Division III state championship. He scored a career-high 40 points in a win over Fenwick and had other standout performances, including 31 points against Columbus Hartley and a game-tying shot in the regional final against Springfield Catholic Central that forced overtime in a 51–48 victory. McGuff's contributions to Badin basketball earned him induction into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. Following high school, he continued his playing career at Saint Joseph's College in .

College playing career

Kevin McGuff enrolled at Saint Joseph's College in , in 1988 and played men's for the Pumas over the next four years, from 1988 to 1992. As a guard, he earned four-year letterman status, contributing to the team's efforts in the (GLIAC), a Division II league. During his senior season in 1991–1992, McGuff served as team captain, providing leadership that helped guide the Pumas to the GLIAC championship. This success marked a highlight of his collegiate career, showcasing his development as a key contributor on a competitive Division II program. Specific statistical details from his playing tenure, such as points or rebounds per game, are not widely documented in available records. McGuff graduated from Saint Joseph's College in 1992 with a in , having majored in . While no specific academic honors are noted from his time there, his participation in the basketball program aligned with the college's emphasis on student-athlete development.

Coaching career

Assistant coaching positions

McGuff began his coaching career shortly after concluding his playing days at Saint Joseph's College, taking his first assistant position on the staff at in from 1993 to 1996. During his three seasons there, the RedHawks compiled a 54–30 overall record, reflecting steady program improvement under head coach Lisa Bradley as the team advanced toward consistent contention. In this role, McGuff contributed to daily operations and player skill enhancement, laying foundational experience in building competitive teams at the Division I level. In 1996, McGuff joined the University of Notre Dame as an assistant coach under Muffet McGraw, serving in that capacity through the 2001–02 season. Over these six years, the Fighting Irish achieved a 160–39 record, including five NCAA Tournament appearances and two Final Four berths. The program reached its pinnacle in 2001 with an NCAA Championship victory, defeating Purdue 68–66 in the title game after a 34–2 regular season. McGuff's responsibilities encompassed coordinating recruiting efforts, scouting opponents, and planning practices, which honed his emphasis on disciplined defense and talent acquisition as core elements of his emerging coaching philosophy. These experiences under McGraw, a Hall of Fame mentor, were instrumental in developing McGuff's approach to fostering team cohesion and strategic preparation. By 2002, McGuff's proven track record in program elevation positioned him for his first head coaching opportunity at , where he succeeded Melanie Balcomb. This transition allowed him to apply the recruiting acumen and developmental strategies refined during his assistant tenures to lead his own program.

Xavier University

Kevin McGuff was named head coach of the team on June 13, 2002, succeeding Balcomb after serving as an assistant at Notre Dame, where his experience contributed to the program's success. Over his nine-season tenure through 2011, McGuff transformed into a consistent contender, compiling a 214–73 overall record that yielded a .746 winning percentage and established him as the program's all-time winningest coach. His teams qualified for postseason play in every season, marking a significant turnaround from prior inconsistencies in the Atlantic 10 Conference. McGuff's early success emphasized strong conference dominance, with Xavier capturing three straight Atlantic 10 regular-season titles from 2008 to 2010 and four tournament championships during his tenure (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011). These achievements propelled to six NCAA Tournament appearances overall, including five consecutive from 2007 to 2011, with a 29–3 record in the 2010–11 season that featured another undefeated conference mark (14–0). McGuff's emphasis on disciplined defense and efficient offense, honed from his Notre Dame background, helped elevate Xavier's national ranking, with the team peaking at No. 5 in the during the 2009–10 campaign. The pinnacle of McGuff's Xavier era arrived in the 2009–10 season, as the Musketeers finished 30–4 overall and 14–0 in conference play, securing both the Atlantic 10 regular-season and tournament titles en route to the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight. In the tournament, Xavier advanced past Siena (78–52) in the first round and Vanderbilt (63–62) in the second before defeating Georgetown (79–68) in the Sweet Sixteen, only to fall to Stanford 55–53 in overtime in the regional final. Key to this run were player developments under McGuff, including All-American forward Amber Harris, a consensus prep All-American recruit who averaged 17.9 points and 8.6 rebounds per game while providing clutch scoring in postseason play. Teammate Ta'Shia Phillips, a 6-foot-6 center, complemented Harris in the frontcourt, contributing to Xavier's second Elite Eight appearance in program history. Following the 2010–11 season, McGuff left Xavier to accept the head coaching position at the , motivated by the opportunity to tackle a new challenge at a larger institution competing in the . His departure came after signing a five-year contract extension with Xavier in 2010, but the move allowed him to build on his Midwest recruiting prowess in a higher-profile league.

University of Washington

Kevin McGuff was hired as the head coach of the team on April 3, 2011, following a successful nine-year tenure at where he had established a reputation for building competitive programs. His appointment came after the dismissal of previous coach Tia Jackson, whose teams had posted a 36-51 record over three seasons, signaling a need for revitalization in a program that had not achieved a winning season since 2006-07. Over two seasons with the Huskies, McGuff compiled a 41-26 overall record, achieving a .612 and guiding the team to postseason play in both years. In his inaugural 2011-12 season, McGuff led Washington to a 20-14 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Pac-12 play, finishing seventh in the conference. This marked the program's first winning season in five years and earned an invitation to the (WNIT), where the Huskies advanced to the quarterfinals with victories over Cal Poly, , and before falling to Oklahoma State. The following year, 2012-13, saw further progress with a 21-12 overall record and an 11-7 conference finish, placing fifth in the Pac-12 standings and securing another WNIT berth, though the team exited in the second round after defeating and Pacific. These results highlighted steady improvements in team performance amid the rigors of Pac-12 competition. McGuff faced significant challenges during his time at Washington, including roster transitions following the previous regime's instability and adapting to the intense talent depth of the Pac-12, one of the nation's most competitive conferences. Despite these hurdles, his emphasis on defensive fundamentals and player development helped stabilize the program, though the team did not qualify for the NCAA Tournament. On April 16, 2013, McGuff resigned from Washington to accept the head coaching position at , citing the opportunity to return to his home state of for family reasons and the chance to lead a prominent Big Ten program. He had recently signed a contract extension with the Huskies, incurring a $1.75 million , but the move allowed him to relocate closer to family after spending two years on the West Coast.

Ohio State University

Kevin McGuff was appointed head coach of the women's basketball team in April 2013, succeeding Jim Foster after a successful stint at the . His tenure, now entering its 13th season in 2025–26, has established a foundation of consistency, with the Buckeyes compiling a 276–113 overall record (.709 winning percentage) through the end of the 2024–25 season. Under McGuff's leadership, Ohio State has achieved multiple Big Ten regular-season championships, including outright titles in 2021–22, 2023–24, and a shared title in 2017–18, alongside a Big Ten Tournament victory that same year. The program has made consistent NCAA Tournament appearances, reaching the postseason in eight of McGuff's first 12 seasons, highlighted by a program-best run in 2022–23, the Buckeyes' deepest advancement in 30 years with a 28–8 overall mark. These milestones reflect McGuff's strategic emphasis on defensive intensity and balanced scoring, transforming Ohio State into a perennial Big Ten contender. The 2023–24 season marked a pinnacle, as McGuff guided the Buckeyes to a 26–6 record (16–2 Big Ten), securing the program's first outright conference regular-season title since 2009–10 and earning him Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for the first time in his Ohio State career. Players like and Jacy Sheldon received All-Big Ten first-team recognition, underscoring the team's depth and individual excellence. In 2024–25, Ohio State posted a 26–7 record, finishing third in the Big Ten at 13–5 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament's second round before a 19th-place final AP ranking. As of November 18, 2025, the 2025–26 campaign stands at 2–1, with victories over Coppin State (88–59 on November 9) and Bellarmine (90–33 on November 13), and a loss to UConn (68–100 on November 16), signaling early momentum amid roster adjustments including the addition of transfer Bryn Martin. McGuff's recruiting prowess has bolstered the program's talent pipeline, with top-100 commitments like four-star guard Atlee Vanesko for the 2026 class and flips such as Ohio Ms. Basketball finalist Bryn Martin enhancing depth in the expanded Big Ten. He has cultivated a culture of resilience and teamwork, emphasizing that while talent sets the foundation, a strong team environment drives sustained success, as evidenced by the Buckeyes' consistent top-25 national rankings and player development. This approach, bridged from his prior Pac-12 experience at Washington, positions Ohio State for continued national contention.

Achievements and honors

National-level accomplishments

As an assistant coach at Notre Dame from 1996 to 2002, McGuff contributed to the Fighting Irish's 2001 NCAA Championship, their first national title, and helped the team reach the Sweet Sixteen four times during his tenure. Throughout his head coaching career, McGuff has led his teams to 14 NCAA Tournament appearances, compiling a 17-14 postseason record with no berths. At Xavier from 2002 to 2011, his Musketeers made five consecutive NCAA appearances from 2007 to 2011, highlighted by an run in 2010 where they fell to eventual champion UConn. His two seasons at Washington from 2011 to 2013 yielded no NCAA bids but two WNIT appearances. Since taking over at Ohio State in 2013, McGuff has guided the Buckeyes to eight NCAA Tournament berths through the 2025 tournament, including a program-best advancement in 2023 after a 28-8 season. McGuff's teams have achieved national prominence through consistent high rankings, with Ohio State reaching the AP Top 10 multiple times, including No. 2 in 2024 and No. 2 in 2023. He has been recognized nationally as a semifinalist for the Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year in and named to the watch list four times in the last five seasons, most recently in 2025 after a 22-3 start. McGuff's player development has significantly impacted at the professional level, with numerous alumni advancing to the WNBA, including first-round picks like Celeste Taylor (No. 15 overall, 2024) and (No. 25 overall, 2023), as well as second- and third-round selections such as (2023) and Taylor Thierry (2025).

Conference and program awards

During his tenure at from 2002 to 2011, Kevin McGuff earned the Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year award in the 2009-10 season after guiding to a perfect 14-0 conference record and an overall mark of 30-4. He also led Xavier to three consecutive Atlantic 10 regular-season championships from 2009 to 2011, including undefeated league campaigns in 2009-10 and 2010-11. Additionally, McGuff's teams captured four Atlantic 10 Tournament titles during this period (2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011), securing automatic bids to the postseason each time. At the from 2011 to 2013, McGuff revitalized a program that had struggled prior to his arrival, achieving the Huskies' first 20-win season since 2003 in his debut year with a 20-14 overall record and an 8-10 mark in Pac-12 play. The following season, Washington improved to 21-12 overall and 11-7 in conference, marking back-to-back 20-win campaigns and postseason appearances via the WNIT in 2011-12 and an NCAA Tournament berth in 2012-13, though no Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors were awarded during his stint. Since taking over at in 2013, McGuff has directed the Buckeyes to four Big Ten regular-season championships: shared titles in 2017 and 2022, and outright wins in 2018 and 2024. He also claimed the 2018 Big Ten Tournament title, Ohio State's first since 2009. In recognition of leading the team to a 26-6 overall record and a 16-2 conference mark en route to the 2024 outright regular-season crown, McGuff was named Big Ten Coach of the Year by both league coaches and media—his first such honor in the conference.

Head coaching record

SeasonSchoolConfGWLW-L%Notes
2002-03XavierA-10302010.667NCAA Tournament; West Division
2003-04XavierA-10301713.567West Division
2004-05XavierA-10322210.688West Division
2005-06XavierA-1030219.700
2006-07XavierA-1034268.765Conf. Tournament Champion; NCAA Tournament
2007-08XavierA-1033249.727Conf. Tournament Champion; NCAA Tournament
2008-09XavierA-1032257.781Reg. Season Champion; NCAA Tournament
2009-10XavierA-1034304.882Reg. Season Champion; Conf. Tournament Champion; NCAA Tournament
2010-11XavierA-1032293.906Reg. Season Champion; Conf. Tournament Champion; NCAA Tournament
2011-12WashingtonPac-12342014.588
2012-13WashingtonPac-12332112.636
2013-14Ohio StateBig Ten351718.486
2014-15Ohio StateBig Ten352411.686NCAA Tournament
2015-16Ohio StateBig Ten34268.765NCAA Tournament
2016-17Ohio StateBig Ten35287.800Reg. Season Champion; NCAA Tournament
2017-18Ohio StateBig Ten35287.800Reg. Season Champion; Conf. Tournament Champion; NCAA Tournament
2018-19Ohio StateBig Ten291415.483
2019-20Ohio StateBig Ten332112.636
2020-21Ohio StateBig Ten20137.650
2021-22Ohio StateBig Ten32257.781Reg. Season Champion; NCAA Tournament
2022-23Ohio StateBig Ten36288.778NCAA Tournament
2023-24Ohio StateBig Ten32266.813Reg. Season Champion; NCAA Tournament
2024-25Ohio StateBig Ten33267.788NCAA Tournament
2025-26Ohio StateBig Ten321.667(as of November 18, 2025)
Xavier: 297 games, 214–83 (.721)
Washington: 67 games, 41–26 (.612)
Ohio State: 418 games, 278–114 (.709)
Total: 782 games, 533–223 (.705) (as of November 18, 2025)

Personal life

McGuff met his wife, McGuff (née Bowen), while both were on the coaching staff at the in 1996. The couple married in 2002 and have six children: Kilyn, Keiryn, Lukas, Lake, Lily, and Leks. On May 6, 2025, McGuff was arrested outside his home in , and charged with operating a while impaired (OVI), a first-degree . Ohio State University suspended him for two weeks as a result. As of November 2025, the case has been transferred to Franklin County Municipal Court and remains pending.

References

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