Northwestern taps carla berube to revive basketball program
Northwestern has named Carla Berube, a former UConn star and Princeton coach, as its new women's basketball coach, signaling a determined effort to resurrect a struggling program. The hire comes as the Wildcats aim to recapture the success seen in 2015 and 2021, their last NCAA Tournament appearances.
Berube inherits a challenge
Replacing retired Joe McKeown, who held the program's longest tenure with a 276-279 record over 18 seasons, Berube faces the daunting task of rebuilding a team that hasn't won more than nine games in a season since 2021-22. McKeown, a stalwart of Northwestern basketball for four decades, amassed a 785-453 record and guided the Wildcats to 17 NCAA Tournament berths.
Berube brings a pedigree of success from Princeton, where she compiled a remarkable147-29 record and led the team to five NCAA Tournament appearances in six seasons. Her 2022-23 Princeton team finished 26-4, capturing both the Ivy League regular-season and tournament championships before falling to Oklahoma State in the first round of March Madness. She coached All-Americans Abby Meyers and Kaitlyn Chen, both of whom later turned pro, and Bella Alarie, who was drafted into the WNBA after four seasons with the Tigers.
“This is a place where academic and athletic excellence go hand in hand, and I’m excited to build a championship culture that reflects that standard,” Berube stated. The Big Ten Conference demands toughness and discipline – qualities she intends to instill in her new team. The program's resurgence is a priority for athletic director Mark Jackson, who assumed the role in 2024. Prior to Princeton, Berube enjoyed a long and dominant tenure at Tufts University, leading the Jumbos to a 384-96 record over 17 seasons.
Berube’s own collegiate career at UConn was equally impressive. From 1993 to 1997, she scored 1,381 points for the Huskies, contributing to a program that won 12 national championships, including an undefeated 35-0 season in 1994-95. Her arrival at Northwestern represents a significant investment in the program’s future and a clear signal of the university's commitment to women’s basketball.
The Wildcats’ last NCAA Tournament appearance was in 2021, a first in 28 years. The challenge now is to translate that sporadic success into sustained competitiveness.