Aaron Roussell Appointed as Virginia Women’s Basketball Head Coach
On April 7, 2024, the University of Virginia announced the appointment of Aaron Roussell as the head coach for the women’s basketball team. Roussell, an experienced coach with a strong track record, succeeds the previous head coach, becoming the seventh individual to lead the program.
A Bright Future for Virginia Women’s Basketball
Carla Williams, the Director of Athletics at the University of Virginia, expressed excitement about the hiring. She emphasized Roussell’s commitment to integrity, leadership, and student-athlete development. “Aaron is a proven winner, and we look forward to welcoming him and his family,” Williams stated.
Roussell’s Impressive Coaching Background
Aaron Roussell has spent the last seven seasons as head coach at the University of Richmond. During this time, he achieved a record of 148 wins to 72 losses. His leadership resulted in three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances for the Spiders and significant championship wins.
- 2023-24: Atlantic-10 Tournament Champions
- 2024 & 2025: Back-to-back outright regular-season A-10 champions
Roussell is not new to collegiate coaching; he has a rich coaching history. His overall record across 22 seasons stands at 460 wins and 194 losses, with prior head coaching stints at:
- University of Richmond (2019-2026): 148-72
- Bucknell University (2012-2019): 151-72
- University of Chicago (2004-2012): 161-50
Accolades and Achievements
Throughout his career, Roussell has been recognized multiple times for his coaching excellence. Notably, he was named Atlantic-10 Coach of the Year twice and led Richmond to its first NCAA Tournament win in 2025.
In addition to coaching accolades, Roussell’s teams consistently achieved high performance:
- Richmond: Four consecutive 20-win seasons
- Bucknell: Patriot League tournament champions in 2017 and 2019
- Chicago: Multiple NCAA Division III tournament appearances
Educational Background
Roussell is an alumnus of the University of Iowa, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism, mass communications, and political science in 2001. He later obtained a master’s degree in sports administration from Minnesota State in 2004.
Family Life
Aaron Roussell and his wife, Molly, have three children: son Riley and daughters Kelsey and Kendall. They are excited to begin this new chapter in Charlottesville.
Aaron Roussell’s leadership marks the beginning of a promising era for Virginia women’s basketball as he aims to elevate the program to national prominence.
