The University of Wisconsin’s women’s basketball program’s head coach, Marisa Moseley, has stepped down after four seasons marked by challenges and limited success. Moseley’s tenure concluded with an overall record of 47-75, and the team struggled to make a substantial impact in the Big Ten Conference.
Tenure Overview
Moseley was hired as head coach in March 2021, with a promising resume in tow from her stint at Boston University, where she had achieved a 45-29 mark in three seasons. She previously worked as an assistant coach at the University of Connecticut under Hall of Fame legend Geno Auriemma and helped win five national championships.
In spite of these qualifications, Moseley struggled to repeat early success at Wisconsin. The Badgers did not post a winning record while she was there, with conference action being especially difficult. The 2024-25 year finished 13-16 overall, with an accompanying 4-14 record in Big Ten contests. The year ended with an 81-54 defeat at the hands of Iowa in the first round of the Big Ten Tournament.
Resignation Announcement
Moseley stepped down on March 9, 2025, for personal reasons. She expressed her gratitude to the university, her coaching team, and the student-athletes in her statement. “It has been a privilege to lead the program at Wisconsin. I want to thank the student-athletes, coaches, and staff in our program who have worked so hard,” Moseley stated.
Athletic Director Chris McIntosh accepted the resignation and commitment of Moseley, saying, “Marisa told me last Friday that she would be resigning. I want to thank Marisa for the dedication she brought as head coach of our women’s basketball program. She had a passion for coaching our student-athletes and worked hard to bring success to our program.
Program Challenges
The Wisconsin women’s basketball team has endured years of hardship. The team has appeared in the NCAA Tournament just once since 2003, and posting a winning Big Ten record has been a novelty. These difficulties have occurred over several coaching regimes, and this is a testament to underlying issues in the program.
Allegations and Investigation
Earlier in the year, the program was in the spotlight after allegations of mistreatment and emotional abuse by Moseley and her coaching staff. Former player Tessa Towers, who left for Ball State following the 2023-24 season, claimed in a TikTok video that she faced improper treatment while she was at Wisconsin. Towers said that the coaching staff made her receive medical testing and threatened to take away her spot on the team for noncompliance.
In turn, the university opened an investigation into these claims. Moseley responded to the situation by stressing her dedication to the health of her players, saying, “Any of my players’ mental and physical well-being will always come before basketball.”
Interim Leadership and Future Prospects
After Moseley’s resignation, Associate Head Coach Margaret McKeon will serve as the interim head coach. The university has announced that a national search for Moseley’s replacement will begin immediately.
The next coaching search will be pivotal for the future of the program. The potential candidates are Harvard’s Carrie Moore, Richmond’s Aaron Rousell, and UW-Oshkosh’s Brad Fischer. Moore, with her Midwestern roots and successful stint at Harvard, is a top choice. Rousell’s experience in rebuilding programs and Fischer’s steady success at the Division III level also are strong candidates.
Marisa Moseley’s resignation marks the end of a trying time for Wisconsin women’s basketball. As the university starts its search for a new head coach, there is hope that new leadership will revitalize the program and lead it to a more competitive future in the Big Ten Conference.
