Marty Gordon
NRVsports@mainstreetnewspapers.com
The Radford University women’s basketball team’s first postseason run since 2019 came to an end last week, falling to Arkansas State, 83-52.
The Highlanders played 36 games this season, the most in program history. Their 23 wins are the most since 2018-19 and tied for the fifth all-time in program history.
The impressive season also saw Coach Mike McGuire become the winningest coach for Radford in Big South Conference history and sixth all-time in the Big South, against Big South competition. He was also named this year’s Big South Conference’s co-coach of the year.
For his success, the school announced a new contract extension for the coach through the 2028-29 season.
McGuire said he is incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue leading Radford women’s basketball.
“The past 13 years have been some of the most rewarding years of my personal and professional life,” he said. “Radford has become home for my family and we love this community. Thank you to President Bret Danilowicz and Robert Lineburg for their continued confidence and belief in me to lead this program. I also want to thank our assistant coaches and support staff for their hard work, dedication, and alignment on a daily basis.”
“My sincere appreciation to our alumni, donors, and fans as well who make our program special,” he continued. “Most importantly, I’m so appreciative of our student-athletes for their daily commitments and determination to represent our institution and program in a first-class way. This year’s team was an absolute joy to be around. We are excited to build upon this season and work together to make the 2026-27 season a fantastic one.”
McGuire set several noteworthy milestones this previous season. He became the winningest coach in basketball history at Radford, passing hall of fame coach Pat Barrett with his 194th victory on November 11 vs. Loyola Maryland. The Vinton native reached 200 wins a month later with an overtime win at Hampton Dec. 18. His 215 career wins are the sixth-most in Big South Conference history and his 145 conference wins are the fourth-most.
McGuire and the Highlanders hope to build on the momentum set from the program’s 55th season. Radford boasted the largest crowd of any host site for the WNIT First Round game, hosting 1,134 fans in the first-ever postseason basketball game at the Dedmon Center.
