University of Massachusets Athletics
Massachusetts Women’s Basketball Head Coach Mike Leflar Agrees To Contract Extension
March 20, 2026 | Women's Basketball, Athletics Department
Leflar will lead the Minutewomen through the 2030-31 season.
AMHERST, Mass. - Women's Basketball Head Coach Mike Leflar has agreed to a contract extension, University of Massachusetts Director of Athletics Ryan Bamford announced today. With Leflar's extended deal, he will lead the Minutewomen through the 2030-31 season.
"We're excited to extend Mike again this year after his program took another step forward in his third season leading our program," Bamford said. "Mike's teams have shown tremendous growth year over year, and with 23 wins and a third-place finish in the league, our increased investment recognizes that ascension. We are excited to lean into our program's success and contribute to the sport's momentum in our community and around the country. We are confident that under Coach Leflar's leadership, we will be annual contenders for league championships with the ultimate goal of participation in future NCAA Women's Basketball Tournaments."
Leflar led Massachusetts to a 23-6 regular-season record in 2025-26 and a 15-3 mark in conference play, which was good for the third seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. It marked the first time the Minutewomen eclipsed the 20-win mark since the 2022-23 campaign.
"I want to thank our university leadership and UMass community for their incredible support," Leflar said. "Specifically, I appreciate Chancellor Reyes, Ryan Bamford and Kirsten Britton for their alignment and shared vision for our success. I want to thank our staff and players for working each day to represent our program. UMass Women's Basketball has great history and tradition, and I am honored to continue to lead us into the future. My family and I are grateful to be on this journey. The best is yet to come."
For the 2025-26 season, Massachusetts ranked in the top-70 nationally in assists per game (47th), assists/steals ratio (54th), steals per game (60th), turnovers forced per game (63rd) and three-point percentage defense (69th). UMass ranked first in the MAC in opponent three point percentage (.287), second in scoring defense (60.4), assists (16.0) and assist/turnover ratio (1.09), third in scoring margin (8.5), opponent field goal percentage (.383) and fourth in steals (10.0) and blocked shots (3.50).
Leflar brought out the best of the roster this past season, coaching the trio of Yahmani McKayle, Megan Olbrys and Allie Palmieri to All-Conference honors, with McKayle being named to the All-MAC First Team, Olbrys to the Second Team and Palmieri as an Honorable Mention. Ayanna Franks was also tabbed to the MAC All-Defensive team.
Leflar was named the 12th women's basketball head coach at the University of Massachusetts on April 10, 2023, after serving as the assistant women's basketball coach from 2018-2021, before being promoted to associate head coach in 2021.
Leflar has been integral in building the most successful era in Massachusetts women's basketball, helping the program to its first regular season Atlantic 10 Championship after its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 2021-22 and NCAA Tournament berth in 2022.
Since taking over the program, Leflar has led the quickest turnaround in program history, increasing from five wins to 23 in just three seasons. During the 2024-25 season, he helped the Minutewomen to an impressive turnaround season, posting a 17-15 overall record and an 11-7 record in the A-10. The 17 games won was a 12-win increase from the 2023-24 year, with the program increasing its conference win total by nine games.
"We're excited to extend Mike again this year after his program took another step forward in his third season leading our program," Bamford said. "Mike's teams have shown tremendous growth year over year, and with 23 wins and a third-place finish in the league, our increased investment recognizes that ascension. We are excited to lean into our program's success and contribute to the sport's momentum in our community and around the country. We are confident that under Coach Leflar's leadership, we will be annual contenders for league championships with the ultimate goal of participation in future NCAA Women's Basketball Tournaments."
Leflar led Massachusetts to a 23-6 regular-season record in 2025-26 and a 15-3 mark in conference play, which was good for the third seed in the Mid-American Conference Tournament. It marked the first time the Minutewomen eclipsed the 20-win mark since the 2022-23 campaign.
"I want to thank our university leadership and UMass community for their incredible support," Leflar said. "Specifically, I appreciate Chancellor Reyes, Ryan Bamford and Kirsten Britton for their alignment and shared vision for our success. I want to thank our staff and players for working each day to represent our program. UMass Women's Basketball has great history and tradition, and I am honored to continue to lead us into the future. My family and I are grateful to be on this journey. The best is yet to come."
For the 2025-26 season, Massachusetts ranked in the top-70 nationally in assists per game (47th), assists/steals ratio (54th), steals per game (60th), turnovers forced per game (63rd) and three-point percentage defense (69th). UMass ranked first in the MAC in opponent three point percentage (.287), second in scoring defense (60.4), assists (16.0) and assist/turnover ratio (1.09), third in scoring margin (8.5), opponent field goal percentage (.383) and fourth in steals (10.0) and blocked shots (3.50).
Leflar brought out the best of the roster this past season, coaching the trio of Yahmani McKayle, Megan Olbrys and Allie Palmieri to All-Conference honors, with McKayle being named to the All-MAC First Team, Olbrys to the Second Team and Palmieri as an Honorable Mention. Ayanna Franks was also tabbed to the MAC All-Defensive team.
Leflar was named the 12th women's basketball head coach at the University of Massachusetts on April 10, 2023, after serving as the assistant women's basketball coach from 2018-2021, before being promoted to associate head coach in 2021.
Leflar has been integral in building the most successful era in Massachusetts women's basketball, helping the program to its first regular season Atlantic 10 Championship after its first Atlantic 10 Tournament Championship in 2021-22 and NCAA Tournament berth in 2022.
Since taking over the program, Leflar has led the quickest turnaround in program history, increasing from five wins to 23 in just three seasons. During the 2024-25 season, he helped the Minutewomen to an impressive turnaround season, posting a 17-15 overall record and an 11-7 record in the A-10. The 17 games won was a 12-win increase from the 2023-24 year, with the program increasing its conference win total by nine games.
-- UMassAthletics.com --
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