LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV Head Women's Basketball Coach Lindy La Rocque has been named to the 2026 Kathy Delaney-Smith Coach of the Year preseason watch list presented by Her Hoop Stats, the organization announced Wednesday. This is the third season of the award, named after the legendary former Harvard head coach. The preseason list includes coaches from 13 conferences. La Rocque has been named a finalist in the inaugural season and a semifinalist during the 2024-25 season.
 
La Rocque, who is entering her sixth season at the helm of the Lady Rebels, has the fourth highest win percentage with a .810, among coaches who have spent five seasons or less with their respective programs. In addition, her win percentage leads all Mountain West women's basketball head coaches and is second in UNLV program history. She became the first head coach in MW and UNLV history to be named the league's Coach of the Year three times in the first five seasons leading a program. La Rocque has also guided the Lady Rebels to a fourth consecutive regular season conference title, three straight MW championship titles and four post season appearances. She also has led the Lady Rebels to their first postseason win in over two decades.
 
La Rocque and the Lady Rebels play an exhibition contest today, October 29 hosting Southern Nazarene at 6:30 p.m. at The Pavilion. The Scarlet & Gray begin the 2025-26 campaign on Wednesday, November 5 when Washington State comes to Las Vegas.