Louisville women’s basketball head coach Jeff Walz met with the media ahead of the 2026-27 season for the first time Monday, June 15, at the Planet Fitness Kueber Center.
Walz made changes to his staff following the Cardinals’ Sweet 16 run, which ended in a loss to Michigan. He added some new faces from different backgrounds and experiences, and he talked after practice about what each one brings to Louisville.
Mike Bradbury joined the staff after spending the past 10 years as the head coach of New Mexico, where he went 202-112. He was named the Mountain West Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season. Prior to leading the Lobos, Bradbury spent time as a head coach at Morehead State and Wright State.
He brings experience to the staff and is someone with whom Walz is extremely familiar.
“Mike and I have been friends for 30-plus years,” Walz said. “He’s had tremendous success as a head coach at every stop he’s had.”
Former Boston College head coach Joanna Bernabei-McNamee also joined the staff as an assistant coach after leading the Eagles for eight seasons. She and Walz worked together when they were both on staff at Maryland.
“I really have a ton of respect for her,” Walz said. “She has a great eye for for talent. You can just look at the players that she recruited to Boston College and then ended up transferring out. … It’s nothing against her. It’s the amount of support you get.”
Prior to NIL reshaping the landscape of college athletics, Bernabei-McNamee was named ACC Coach of the Year for the 2019-20 season. Her Eagles finished fourth in the ACC and set a program record with 11 conference wins.
Walz also sought additional help in recruiting international players by bringing in Gina Cerezuela Robuste, who was an assistant coach for South Florida last season.
“She’s from Spain originally, so she’s going to help us with some international recruiting,” Walz said.
The head coach has also promoted multiple staffers who were already involved with the program. Jonneshia Pineda, in her eighth year with the Cardinals, is now an associate head coach.
“It’s her commitment that she’s made here,” Walz said. “She’s the one that’s been here with me the longest, knows exactly what we’re trying to do. It doesn’t change our dynamic.”
Former graduate assistant Selim Aldag was also promoted to serve as an assistant coach and the director of video analytics and graphic design.
Reach sports trending writer Alaina Morris at amorris@gannett.com and follow her on X at @alainammorris.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Jeff Walz on what new Louisville women’s basketball coaches will bring
