Texas Tech’s Women’s Basketball Shines: Coach Gerlich Named Coach of the Year, Maupin Earns MVP Honors
LUBBOCK, TX — In what has become a defining moment for Texas Tech University’s women’s basketball program, Head Coach Krista Gerlich and junior guard Bailey Maupin have earned top national honors, solidifying the Red Raiders’ remarkable ascent this season. Gerlich has been named Coach of the Year, and Maupin, the team’s dynamic and resilient leader, has captured the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, creating a historic double victory for the program.
The announcement was made Thursday afternoon during a nationally televised CBS News segment, sparking celebration across the Texas Tech campus and within the wider Big 12 community. Fans flooded social media with tributes, and the United Supermarkets Arena quickly became a hub of Red Raider pride, with banners raised and students chanting “Raider Power” in a spontaneous rally.
Under Krista Gerlich’s leadership, the Red Raiders completed a stunning 28–4 season, including a 16–2 conference record that earned them the Big 12 regular season title—their first in nearly two decades. Her aggressive defensive schemes, coupled with a fast-paced transition offense, transformed the squad into a dominant force. More importantly, Gerlich has instilled a culture of discipline, trust, and resilience—a culture that turned doubters into believers.
“This award is a reflection of my staff and our players’ unwavering commitment,” said Gerlich at the post-announcement press conference. “We’re building something special in Lubbock, and this is just the beginning.”
At the center of that success is Bailey Maupin, whose electrifying performance this season was impossible to ignore. Averaging 21.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 4.5 assists per game, Maupin consistently delivered in clutch moments. Her buzzer-beater against Baylor and her 30-point game in the conference final against Texas became instant classics, replayed across highlight reels nationwide.
“She’s the heart of this team,” Gerlich said. “Her poise under pressure and relentless work ethic have lifted all of us.”
What sets Maupin apart isn’t just her stat line—it’s her fierce competitiveness and unshakable focus. Opponents struggled to contain her lethal step-back jumper and slashing drives, and her defense has drawn praise from scouts across the WNBA. Already projected as a top pick in next year’s draft, Maupin has made it clear she’s focused on winning a national title first.
“We came into this season with something to prove,” Maupin said. “This MVP honor is for my team. Every pass, every screen, every rebound—they got me here.”
This double recognition is a watershed moment for Texas Tech. The program, long overshadowed in a competitive Big 12 field, is now front and center. With Gerlich at the helm and Maupin leading on the court, the Red Raiders are not only contenders—they are redefining excellence in women’s college basketball.
As the NCAA tournament looms, Texas Tech enters as a No. 2 seed, hungry and united. The Red Raiders are no longer underdogs. They’re the team to beat.
