The University of Rhode Island women’s basketball team will hang two new banners in the rafters of the Ryan Center next season, but will do so without the head coach who led them there.
On3’s Talia Goodman confirmed the news Monday afternoon after a morning of speculation that Rhode Island Head Coach Tammi Reiss will be taking the head coaching position with the University of Florida after seven seasons in Kingston.
It came just two days after elimination from the program’s second-ever NCAA Tournament appearance against the University of Alabama.
“This has been one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made in my life for many reasons,” Reiss said in a statement. “Over the past seven years, my family and I have built lifelong friendships and created memories that filled our life with love and joy.”
The winningest coach in program history officially stepped down following the winningest season in program history. In her final year with the Rams, she led the team to its first March Madness in 30 years and the program’s first and only Atlantic 10 Championship title.
“Her body of work speaks for herself, and to say she is leaving the program in a significantly better place would be an understatement,” Rhode Island Vice President and Director of Athletics Pat Lyons said in a statement. “We all wish her success with the next stage of her career.”
She was officially introduced on Tuesday in Gainesville, Fla. Her usual emphatic “Go Rhody!” was replaced by a “Go Gators!” as Reiss concluded her opening remarks.
The self-described “builder” will have her work cut out for her. Florida has posted four straight losing seasons in the Southeastern Conference, which isn’t much compared to the Rams’ 23 seasons without a winning conference record before Reiss was hired.
Reiss took the reins of Rhode Island in 2019 after an accomplished assistant coaching career, with former athletic director Thorr Bjorn giving her a first chance as a head coach.
“[Rhode Island and Bjorn] believed in me,” Reiss said in a statement. “The University supported and believed in our program’s vision. That commitment to our program enabled us to build something special that we can all be proud of.”
The more success Reiss had at URI, the more likely it was for an opportunity for Reiss to make the jump to a power conference like the SEC. She was the only mid-major coach to be named a semifinalist for the Naismith Women’s College Coach of the Year this season.
“This year, my players were the most incredible young women and student athletes that gave everything they had on and off the court,” Reiss said. “I would not be standing here if it were not for them, and I think they know how much I love them.”
Bjorn hit a home run hiring Reiss, who was named A-10 Coach of the Year for the third time in her career after the regular season. Off the court, she was just as transformational.
“When I first was looking at the program, bottom of the conference, abysmal; on the court, in the classroom, in the community,” Reiss said. “Left my mark, left a legacy.”
Reiss now has the opportunity to compete in what she called “the best conference in America.” It’s highlighted by her former roommate and backcourt mate at the University of Virginia, Dawn Staley, coaching at the University of South Carolina.
Staley turned that program into a perennial contender, with three national championships within the decade. The best friends now have the opportunity to face off at least once per season.
Florida’s men’s basketball team won the national championship last season. Reiss has defined her journey through being the first, and her ultimate goal with the Gators is to bring the women’s program its first-ever national championship.
“Surrounded by greatness every day, great minds, great people, great leaders of champions, great achievers,” Reiss said. “I’m in an environment of champions, that’s why I chose the University of Florida.”
Rhode Island’s national search for Reiss’ replacement is underway, with the biggest shoes in program history to fill at the peak of the program’s success and interest.
