Florida Appoints Tammi Reiss as Women’s Basketball Coach
Florida is set to hire Tammi Reiss to lead its women’s basketball program, sources tell Filmogaz.com. The move follows a multi-week national search and aims to change the program’s recent trajectory.
Resume and coaching achievements
Reiss, 55, has been the head coach at Rhode Island since 2019. She holds a 138-73 overall record with the Rams.
She captured two Atlantic 10 regular-season titles. This season she also won the A-10 tournament, sending Rhode Island to the NCAA Tournament.
That trip marked the Rams’ first NCAA appearance since 1996. Reiss was a three-time A-10 Coach of the Year.
Playing and assistant coaching background
Reiss starred at Virginia as an All-American in 1992. She later served as an assistant at Virginia, Cal State Fullerton, San Diego State, and Syracuse.
She helped Syracuse reach the national title game in 2016 as an assistant. She also spent time as an assistant in the WNBA with Utah and San Antonio franchises.
Florida Appoints Tammi Reiss as women’s basketball coach
The hiring signals a clear investment in the program. Athletic officials see Reiss as a proven mid-major leader.
State of the Florida program
Florida finished 18-15 overall this past season. The team went 5-11 in SEC play under Kelly Rae Finley.
Finley was dismissed on March 9 after five seasons. Her teams missed the NCAA Tournament in each of the last four seasons.
Florida began SEC play with a five-game losing streak. Non-conference losses included mid-majors Navy and Tulsa.
Historical context and resources
The program’s peak came in the 1990s under Carol Ross. From 1993 to 1999, the Gators reached seven straight NCAA Tournaments.
Florida reached the Elite Eight in 1997, led by DeLisha Milton-Jones. Between 1997 and 2004 the program produced 10 WNBA draft picks.
Since Ross left in 2002, Florida has not returned to consecutive NCAA Tournaments. The team has posted five winning SEC seasons since 2002.
A recent report found Florida spent just above $5 million on women’s basketball in fiscal 2024. That total ranked last among public SEC programs and was less than half the spending of conference powers.
Home attendance also trailed peers, at roughly 1,895 fans per game. Program leaders say the Reiss hire reflects a commitment to change.
Search details and contractual matters
Sources say Florida targeted other successful mid-major coaches. George Mason’s Vanessa Blair-Lewis and Columbia’s Megan Griffith were among those considered.
- All three coaches have recent NCAA Tournament experience.
- Each has earned upsets over Power Four opponents.
Reiss’s Rhode Island contract contains a buyout clause. The document shows $100,000 per remaining contract year.
The contract was automatically extended through 2035, making the buyout total $900,000. It remains unclear if Florida will pay the full amount.
Negotiations with Rhode Island athletic director Pat Lyons are possible. Rutgers reportedly considered Reiss earlier but balked at the buyout cost.
Outlook
Reiss arrives with a record of turning mid-major programs into contenders. Her experience as a player and assistant adds recruiting value.
Expect a focus on restoring competitiveness in the SEC. Rebuilding will require investments in resources and fan engagement.
