After 25 years at Tampa and unprecedented success as USF’s women’s basketball coach, Jose Fernandez has resigned and is heading to the WNBA to coach the Dallas Wings.
Michele Woods-Baxter, who served as Fernandez’s assistant for the last 17 seasons, will serve as interim coach this season.
USF Athletics CEO Rob Higgins issued a statement discussing Fernandez and what he meant to the USF program.
“Over the past 25 years, Jose has been an exceptional leader, mentor, and advocate for the University of South Florida. His impact on USF Athletics and our university community is profound, and his legacy will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.”
Fernandez took over the program on November 14, 2000 at the age of 28. It was a rough start for Fernandez, as he had three losing seasons to begin his tenure before slowly getting the program back on track, heading in the right direction. He averaged just over eight wins per season in his first three years at the helm before leading the Bulls to seven straight postseason appearances.
During his 25 years at USF, he led the team to 10 NCAA tournaments. Fernandez also won two regular-season conference titles, two conference tournament championships, and the 2009 WNIT. He had nine of his players drafted into the WNBA.
Fernandez compiled a 485-317 won-loss record and compiled 12 20-win seasons. Most recently, he led the Bulls to the NCAA Tournament in 2025, but they lost to Tennessee 101-66. USF is 5-10 all-time in the NCAA Tournament and 14-8 in the WNIT.
The Dallas Wings fired first-year coach Chris Koclanes after a 10-34 season, thus creating the opportunity for Fernandez. Fernandez is tasked with building a Wings franchise that finished with the WNBA’s worst record last season. The roster includes Rookie of the Year and former UConn star Paige Bueckers, and also features four-time WNBA all-star guard Arike Ogunbowale, who led Notre Dame to a national title in 2018.
Woods-Baxter will have big shoes to fill at USF. However, she has played a major role in the team’s success since joining in 2007. She has played an enormous role in the international recruiting efforts, recruiting seven five-star recruits from overseas since 2014.
Rob Higgins is excited about the leadership that Michelle Woods-Baxter can bring to the USF program.
“Michele’s experience and leadership will guide our student-athletes as they embrace a challenging schedule and compete for another American Conference championship.”
USF will open its season Nov. 3 at home against FIU.