More eyes than ever are on women’s circles, and with that attention comes added pressure. No one would argue that women’s basketball coaching is still in a “hot seat” era, but the expectations to produce wins and exciting basketball have never been higher.

In every corner of the country, teams are embarking on a season that they hope won’t end until April in Tampa. to The Athleticwe’re watching a few programs and coaches with more on the line this season. Some have greater opportunities than ever, while others will try to rekindle previous success with new rosters (and some must do so in new conferences).

These are the coaches with the most to prove in 2024-25:

Courtney Banghart, North Carolina

2023-24 record: 20-13, second-round NCAA Tournament loss to No. 1 seed South Carolina

Seasons at UNC: 5

Register at UNC: 96-56

Banghart arrived in Chapel Hill after an incredible run at Princeton. Over the course of 12 seasons, she turned the Tigers into Ivy League contenders and perennial NCAA tournament participants, advancing beyond the first round twice. These Ivy achievements, especially at that time, were rated as superior. (Thanks to the foundation he built at Princeton and the reputation he helped forge for the league, those aren’t far-fetched goals.) But the accomplishments didn’t translate to UNC. Since taking over in 2019, Tar heels they’ve reached the Sweet 16 just once in four postseason appearances. (In their defense, they’ve gotten tough draws — twice in the past three seasons, they’ve been in the South Carolina regional.) But for the Tar Heels to return to their glory days of 2006 and 2007, when they reached back-to-back finals . Four four, Banghart must overcome, as he did at Princeton. Although Already Kelly he might be gone, Carolina returns Alyssa Ustby, Maria Gakdeng and Lexi Donarski. It’s time for UNC to make a deeper postseason run.

Adia Barnes, Arizona

2023-24 record: 18-16 NCAA Tournament first round loss to No. 6 Syracuse

Seasons in Arizona: 8

Record in Arizona: 150-99

Barnes — a beloved Arizona alum who took over in 2016 — entered the national season with a historic 2021 title game behind Aari McDonald’s heroics. After that, McDonald left for WNBA and the Wildcats began a significant slide, finishing fourth in the Pac-12 twice and seventh last season. With Barnes’ strong defense, her best teams had the most continuity. Considering the roster turnover in Tucson, the results were understandably subpar. In two seasons since their championship appearance, the Wildcats went 6-4 in the regular season against Top 25 opponents, but last season — in a strong Pac-12 — Arizona went 2-10 against teams in the Top 25. With only four players having experience last season, it’s hard to know what to expect from the Wildcats in their first Big 12 season. It’s an opportunity for Barnes to mold young players, build a foundation and prepare another run similar to what made Arizona relevant again in 2021.

Kim Barnes Arico, Michigan

2023-24 record: 20-14 NCAA Tournament first-round loss to No. 8 Kansas

Seasons in Michigan: 12

Record at Michigan: 261-133

Barnes Arico is the most successful women’s basketball coach in Michigan history, and it’s not close. She won 118 more games than the Wolverines’ second winningest coach. But after advancing to the Elite Eight with Naz Hillmon and Leigh Brown — the program’s only two picks in the 2006 WNBA Draft — Michigan didn’t make as much noise in the postseason and didn’t struggle in the Big Ten race. Since Hillmon graduated, Michigan has gone 2-11 in the regular season against opponents in the Top 25. After conference expansion, this season will be crucial for mid-to-large Big Ten teams trying to maintain their positions with USC and UCLA entering the pillar. Barnes Arico has opportunities this season to show what her program can do – especially with a season opener against South Carolina and a non-conference game against Oklahoma. There’s talent in Ann Arbor (specifically, Sylla Swordswho played significant minutes with Canada’s senior national team this summer olympics), but this is a year where Barnes Arico needs to make sure the Wolverines don’t sink in a competitive Big Ten.

Michigan, coached by Kim Barnes Arico (above), has skidded since the departure of Naz Hillmon. (Keith Birmingham/Getty Images)

Kim Caldwell, Tennessee

2023-24 Record (Marshall): 26-7 NCAA Tournament first-round loss to No Virginia Tech

Seasons in Tennessee: 0

Record at Tennessee: 0-0

The Tennessee today is not the Tennessee of yesteryear that helped shape women’s basketball. The Lady Vols haven’t been to the Elite Eight since 2016 and haven’t won a conference title — regular season or tournament — since 2015. Still, Kellie Harper’s firing came as a surprise to many, a move that seemingly signals that expectations internal and external views of Knoxville may not match. Caldwell, who has coached 33 Division I games, begins a unique time at Tennessee: One of the most storied programs in women’s basketball will be led by its least experienced coach in program history. Caldwell is also the first person to lead the program not in the Pat Summitt coaching tree. Questions abound in Knoxville, and Caldwell will begin answering them in November. She is aware of the high expectations and skepticism, but is confident that her quick offense and strong full-court defense can thrive.

Kelly Graves, Oregon

2023-24 record: 11-21

Seasons in Oregon: 10

Record at Oregon: 223-100

Since Sabrina Ionescu and Satou Sabally left, Oregon has been on a downward trajectory, but last season hit a significant low. After ending the year with a 14-game Pac-12 losing streak, the Ducks missed the postseason for the first time since 2015 (Graves’ first in Eugene). The Ducks enter a new conference where Graves and the Ducks will have an opportunity to right the ship. He helped build the foundation for two of the best guards in the WNBA – Ionescu and Courtney Vandersloot. With North Carolina transfer Deja Kelly and freshman Katie Fisohe will have a chance to help shape the big guard game with players at different points in their careers. Oregon appears to have everything in place to be great — a voracious fan base, money and impressive facilities — but the turnaround must be quick and significant this season to avoid being shunted to the bottom of the Big Ten, where it will be harder. to recruit.

Kara Lawson, lead

2023-24 record: 22-12 Sweet 16 loss to No. 3 UConn

Seasons at Duke: 4

Record at Duke: 68-33

Lawson’s name often came up in conversations about coaching vacancies, whether it was for Tennessee, league-wide WNBA openings or her potential to be the next coach of Team USA. But heading into her fifth season at Duke (actually her fourth, considering the Blue Devils dropped the 2020-21 season after four games), she hasn’t fared well. Her Blue Devils are 7-11 in the regular season against Top 25 opponents. Lawson and Duke will get a chance to build their resumes this season as they face South Carolina, Kansas State and Maryland before the start of ACC play.

2023-24 record (as an assistant): 30-6 Sweet 16 loss to NC State no. 3

Seasons at Stanford: 0

Record at Stanford: 0-0

Stanford (expected) remained on the Tara VanDerveer coaching staff, promoting Paye from associate head coach to head coach after VanDerveer’s retirement after last season. Moving one place comes at a difficult time. The Cardinal move into the ACC with a far from ideal travel schedule and they lost their top three players from last season (Kiki Iriafen to USC, Cameron Brink to the WNBA and Hannah Jump until graduation). With every coaching transition, especially at Stanford, where VanDerveer set the standard, questions will arise in Year 1: How will Paye differ from VanDerveer? What will remain the same? And most importantly, can he win year after year like VanDerveer? With non-conference opponents Indian, LSU and Ohio StatePaye has a chance to prove his mettle early. As the rest of the league tries to catch up to the giants who built the sport, every hire will come under greater scrutiny. Stanford, despite some inherent challenges, has remained relevant and at the top of the college game. With VanDerveer gone, will Paye stay that way?

The pressure is on at Stanford, where Kate Paye takes over. (Keith Birmingham/Getty Images)

(Kara Lawson photo: Soobum Im/Getty Images; Kelly Graves photo: Andrew Wevers/Getty Images)