After one season away from the UCLA Bruins, longtime assistant coach Shannon LeBeauf is returning to the UCLA sidelines as the Bruins’ Associate Head Coach for the 2026-2027 season.
LeBeauf missed just one season, heading to join Rutgers as their Senior Associate Head Coach, but missed UCLA’s NCAA championship season. Even with LeBeauf missing the historic season with UCLA, the Bruins are happy to have her back.
“Shannon LeBeauf has been such an integral part of our program,” UCLA head coach Cori Close said. “She is an elite recruiter and coach who knows how to build a number one recruiting class and develop them to their full potential, both as student-athletes and as young women. We’re so happy to welcome her back to UCLA – she leads with humility and grace, and she creates such meaningful relationships with everyone in our program.”
Close isn’t exaggerating, LeBeauf helped the Bruins land two different No. 1 recruiting classes, which helped set up the program’s championship run last season. One member of that championship team, center Lauren Betts, spoke about LeBeauf’s impact in the team’s release.
“Coach Shannon’s impact on my life and on the UCLA program is impossible to measure,” Betts said. “Her guidance and belief in others have shaped not only my experience but also the community around her. She has an amazing way of inspiring people to grow and reach their potential. The UCLA program is stronger because of the heart she brings to it every day.”
The 2026-2027 UCLA squad will largely be a new-look for the program after losing six players to the WNBA but the Bruins will have one more familiar face on the sidelines with LeBeauf returning to Westwood.
This article originally appeared on UCLA Wire: Longtime UCLA assistant coach Shannon LeBeauf returns to the Bruins
Reporting by Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire / UCLA Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Dylan McNeill, UCLA Wire | USA TODAY Network
