Ball State University Athletics
October 29, 2026 | Women's Basketball
MUNCIE, Ind. — Ball State University women's basketball head coach Brady Sallee has been named to the 20-person preseason watch list for the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award. The national honor, presented annually by Her Hoop Stats, recognizes the most outstanding mid-major head coach in NCAA Division I women's basketball.
Now in its fourth season, the award is named in honor of legendary former Harvard head coach Kathy Delaney-Smith, who compiled 630 career victories. The watch list highlights coaches from across the nation's 26 mid-major conferences who have demonstrated excellence on the sideline.
Sallee, the winningest coach in Ball State program history, continues to elevate the Cardinals on the national stage. Under his guidance, Ball State has seen historic success, including a school-record 28 wins during the 2023–24 campaign and a dominant 2024–25 season where the Cardinals captured both the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Regular Season and Tournament Championships to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. Sallee, who was honored as the 2025 MAC Coach of the Year, reached his 400th career victory during that championship run.
To be eligible for the award, coaches must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major" by Her Hoop Stats, which excludes the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, and SEC.
A midseason watch list featuring 10 coaches will be announced in January, followed by the narrowing of finalists in March. The winner of the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award will be officially revealed in early April.
2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award
Now in its fourth season, the award is named in honor of legendary former Harvard head coach Kathy Delaney-Smith, who compiled 630 career victories. The watch list highlights coaches from across the nation's 26 mid-major conferences who have demonstrated excellence on the sideline.
Sallee, the winningest coach in Ball State program history, continues to elevate the Cardinals on the national stage. Under his guidance, Ball State has seen historic success, including a school-record 28 wins during the 2023–24 campaign and a dominant 2024–25 season where the Cardinals captured both the Mid-American Conference (MAC) Regular Season and Tournament Championships to secure an NCAA Tournament berth. Sallee, who was honored as the 2025 MAC Coach of the Year, reached his 400th career victory during that championship run.
To be eligible for the award, coaches must compete in one of the 26 conferences deemed to be "mid-major" by Her Hoop Stats, which excludes the ACC, Big 12, Big East, Big Ten, and SEC.
A midseason watch list featuring 10 coaches will be announced in January, followed by the narrowing of finalists in March. The winner of the 2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award will be officially revealed in early April.
2027 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award
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Ryun Williams, Colorado St.
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Megan Griffith, Columbia
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Carly Thibault-DuDonis, Fairfield
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Neil Harrow, Fordham
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Vanessa Blair-Lewis, George Mason
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Lisa Fortier, Gonzaga
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Carrie Moore, Harvard
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Sean O'Regan, James Madison
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Brooke Stoehr, Louisiana Tech
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Tricia Binford, Montana St.
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Rechelle Turner, Murray St.
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Amy Eagan, New Mexico
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Jory Collins, North Dakota St.
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Lindsay Edmonds, Rice
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Alisa Kresge, Richmond
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Stacie Terry-Hutson, San Diego St.
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Loree Payne, Santa Clara
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Aaron Johnston, South Dakota St.
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Kristy Curry, South Fla.
Thursday, August 27
Thursday, August 27
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