KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island women's basketball head coach Tammi Reiss was named a semifinalist for the 2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year, it was announced Thursday. Reiss was named to the watch list for the national award back in February before making the semifinalist list of 10 coaches from the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, SEC, and BIG EAST conferences. 

After being named Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year for the third time at the helm, Reiss guided the Rams to the program's first A-10 Tournament title for just the second NCAA berth in program history, and the first in 30 years. Rhody is 28-4 on the season, a program-best. Reiss led URI to its second regular season championship in four years after the Rams finished 16-2 in A-10 action- the best league finish in program history. Reiss is the all-time winningest head coach with 138 wins leading the Rams. 

The Rams are back in action at the First Round of the NCAA Tournament  Saturday. Rhode Island earned the No. 11 seed and is set to face No. 6 Alabama at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN News. 
 

2026 Werner Ladder Naismith Women's College Coach of the Year Semifinalists
Geno Auriemma, UCONN, BIG EAST
Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan, Big Ten
Cori Close, UCLA,  Big Ten
Krista Gerlich, Texas Tech, Big 12
Jan Jensen, Iowa, Big Ten
Kara Lawson, Duke, ACC
Shea Ralph, Vanderbilt, SEC
Tammi Reiss, Rhode Island, Atlantic 10
Vic Schaefer, Texas, SEC
Dawn Staley, South Carolina, SEC