Radford University Director of Athletics Robert Lineburg announced Wednesday that Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike McGuire has agreed to terms and is finalizing a new contract extension that will keep him with the program through June 2025. He also received a salary increase from $113,000 to $128,000.
“Mike McGuire has lead Radford Basketball back to prominence over the past six seasons,” said Lineburg. “He has built Radford women’s basketball into a perennial power in the Big South Conference, and we are very excited about the future of the program. This past season was simply tremendous as we captured both the Regular Season and Tournament Championship and played in the NCAA Tournament. Mike’s teams continue to excel on the court and in the classroom.”
“The Radford University campus and the local community have greatly benefited from the dedication and service of Coach McGuire,” Radford University President Brian O. Hemphill said. This past season marked a historic year for Women’s Basketball and our University. The Radford community and beyond rallied behind Coach McGuire and the entire team as they secured a Big South Championship and played in the NCAA Tournament, which marked a first in more than two decades. Throughout the season, Mike led with conviction and pride, and the team played with determination and grit. To say that we are proud Highlanders is an understatement. As such, Marisela and I are honored that Mike and Nataleigh have chosen to remain Highlanders and continue to serve as an integral part of the New River Valley.”
Having now completed his sixth season at the helm of the Radford women’s basketball program after taking the position on April 24, 2013, McGuire is widely recognized as one of the up-and-coming head coaches in the nation. He quickly laid a solid foundation when he arrived at Radford and has successfully seen his vision come to fruition. With an overall record of 116-75 (.607) at Radford, McGuire owns the third-best winning percentage of any coach in program history. He has gone 78-36 (.684) in Big South play and has led the Highlanders to two Big South regular season championships, one Big South tournament title, three WNIT appearances and one NCAA Tournament appearance.
“I’m so humbled yet excited to receive a contract extension to lead the Women’s Basketball Coach at Radford University for years to come,” said McGuire. “The unwavering support and belief that Dr. Hemphill and Robert Lineburg have in me to lead our program is incredible. We have experienced exceptional growth in our six years, and none of it would have been possible without making Women’s Basketball a priority at Radford University. I love the energy and excitement that this season has brought to our program and look forward to building on this momentum next season.”
McGuire has been honored three times as the Big South Coach of the Year (2015, 2018, 2019), making him the first coach in program history to achieve the feat. Under his direction, 15 Highlanders have been named All-Big South and two have earned VaSID All-State honors. In 2018, Jayda Worthy became the first player under McGuire to earn Big South Defensive Player of the Year and Lydia Rivers was named the Big South Tournament MVP in 2019.
–RU Athletics