Duke’s McCallie Signs Extension Through 2020-21

DURHAM, NC – Duke University Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White announced Monday the school has extended Blue Devil women’s basketball head coach Joanne P. McCallie’s contract through the 2020-21 campaign.

“We are ecstatic that Joanne will remain as the leader of Duke Women’s Basketball through the 2020-21 season, at a minimum!” said White. “Without question, Joanne is an elite women’s basketball coach whose student-athletes have excelled on the court, in the classroom and in the Durham community. This extension was earned with a track record that includes winning nearly 80 percent of her games as a Blue Devil head coach, while maintaining the academic success exemplified by Duke student-athletes across the board. To be sure, we are thrilled to secure Coach McCallie’s leadership for the foreseeable future.”

In 10 seasons at Duke, McCallie has guided the Blue Devils to a 273-71 (.794) overall record, nine NCAA Tournament appearances and four NCAA Elite Eight finishes.  She owns a 121-33 (.786) record in ACC play along with three ACC Tournament crowns (2010, 2011, 2013).  McCallie has earned ACC Coach of the Year honors three times, and became the first NCAA Division I head coach to win a league championship and be named league coach of the year in four different conferences — ACC, Big Ten, America East and North Atlantic.

“For the past decade, Coach McCallie has inspired and guided her players to excellence both on the court and in the classroom,” said Duke University President Vincent E. Price.  “I am thrilled that she will continue her winning ways as a Blue Devil, and I look forward to her teams’ continued successes this season and beyond.”

In 2016-17, McCallie led Duke to a 28-6 overall record and a 13-3 mark in the ACC, which was tied second in the league.  She owns three 30-win seasons since the 2009-10 campaign and is 11 wins away from reaching 600 career victories.   McCallie’s 79.4 winning percentage at Duke ranks third in the ACC record book, while her 78.6 winning percentage in ACC contests ranks third in conference history.

“The entire McCallie family is thrilled and excited for the opportunity to continue and grow our commitment to Duke University and Blue Devil women’s basketball,” commented McCallie.  “The whole athletic department has thrived under Dr. White’s leadership, and we are so pleased to be a part of this very special “team.” We are most grateful to Dr. White for his consistent and thoughtful leadership.”

McCallie is one of just two head coaches in Division I history to lead two programs to a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament and is one of only three coaches to guide three schools to the NCAA Tournament.  McCallie was the quickest female head coach to reach 150 wins at a school as she accomplished the feat in only 182 contests with the Blue Devils.

“We have a great love for the Durham community and for the amazing women who represent DWB,” said McCallie.  “It is an honor to coach and support them with our terrific staff and fans. We are all very excited for the challenges and opportunities awaiting us for this special season ahead.”

In 2017-18, McCallie and the Blue Devils return four starters, including 2016-17 All-America pick Lexie Brown and First Team All-ACC selection Rebecca Greenwell.  Duke also welcomes back sophomore Leaonna Odom and junior Kyra Lambert, who combined to start 50 contests a year ago.

Duke returns other key letter winners including Haley Gorecki and Faith Suggs, sophomore Emily Schubert, redshirt junior Sofia Roma and senior Erin Mathias. McCallie will also add fifth year transfer Bego Faz Davalos along with one of the top recruiting classes nationally — Mikayla Boykin, Jade Williams, Jayda Adams and Madison Treece.