Karen Aston won’t be back as Texas women’s basketball head coach

By Steve Lansdale

AUSTIN, Texas — After eight seasons, Karen Aston’s tenure as the head coach of the University of Texas is over.

Texas vice president and athletics director Chris Del Conte announced Friday that Aston’s contract, which expires Aug. 31, will not be renewed. He said a search will begin immediately for her replacement.

The Longhorns[s2If current_user_can(access_s2member_level2)] went 184-83 overall, and 93-51 in games against Big 12 opponents, under Aston.

“This was an extremely difficult decision as Coach Aston’s contract was up and we put a great deal of thought into it, but decided not to extend it,” Del Conte said. “We can’t thank Coach Aston enough for everything she’s done for The University of Texas and our Texas women’s basketball program. She has given her all, as have the staff members. She has been totally committed to our program and everyone involved in it for eight years.

“We have had our successes and challenges, and through it all, Coach Aston has been a first-class representative of UT. She is a dedicated coach and special person. After evaluating and reviewing where we stand as a program and discussing the future, we have determined to move in a different direction with our continued goals to work to contend for conference championships and NCAA elite status.”

Under Aston, the Horns reached the Sweet 16 four straight times between 2014-15 and 2017-18. Their best season under Aston was in 2015-16, when they rolled to a record of 31-5 and reached the NCAA Elite Eight.

Aston previously had served as the head coach at Charlotte and at the University of North Texas. In 13 seasons as a head coach, she has amassed a record of 285-146.

The Longhorns went 19-11 overall and 11-7 in Big 12 games in 2019.

“For our student-athletes, staff, letterwinners, fans, alumni and donors, we recognize the challenge of making a change in this particular springtime, but there is never a right time for a difficult decision like this,” Del Conte said. “We feel it is in the best interest of our program to move forward now and establish new direction for the 2020-21 season.”
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