Boston College fires coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee after 8 seasons following last-place finish in ACC

The Eagles went just 5-26 this season and finished in dead last in the ACC.

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Boston College fires coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee after 8 seasons following last-place finish in ACC

The Eagles went just 5-26 this season and finished in dead last in the ACC

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee is out at Boston College after eight seasons. (John Byrum/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Ryan YoungStaff writer

Mon, March 2, 2026 at 5:09 AM UTC·
2 min read

Joanna Bernabei-McNamee’s time at Boston College is over.

The Eagles parted with Bernabei-McNamee on Sunday night, ending her eight-season run with the program after their final game of the regular season. Bernabei-McNamee’s contract was up after this season, and the school is opting not to extend it.

"I want to thank Joanna for her contributions to the Boston College Women's Basketball program during her eight years as an Eagle, as she had a tremendous impact on so many young women who have gone on to do great things,” athletic director Blake James said in a statement. “It is simply time for a change and we wish Joanna and her family the very best in the future."

Bernabei-McNamee took over at Boston College in 2018, though she only managed to compile two winning seasons and never made the NCAA tournament during her tenure. The Eagles went just 5-26 this season and ended the campaign with just a single win since Thanksgiving. That lone win, a 77-59 win over SMU on Feb. 19, snapped a 20-game losing streak.

They finished last in the ACC standings after going just 1-17 in league play. As a result, they did not qualify for the ACC tournament.

Bernabei-McNamee finished with a 113-132 record and went 43-94 in ACC play.

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"We take great pride in the variety of sports we sponsor, including our women's teams, and we have a lot already in place to attract a strong candidate pool," James said in a statement. "Our practice facility is top-notch, our fans and supporters are thirsty for success and we compete in one of the best women's basketball conferences in America — the ACC. I am excited to find the right person who can elevate our program and who shares in our values."

Whoever James hires to replace Bernabei-McNamee will be tasked with turning the program around. The Eagles haven’t been to the NCAA tournament since 2006, and haven’t been nationally ranked since the 2010-11 campaign.

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