4/4/2024 basketball Edit

Cal inks WBB coach Charmin Smith to 3-year contract extension

Charmin Smith's extension with the Bears will have her at the helm through the 2028-29 season. (Tony Avelar | Associated Press)

Matt Moreno • GoldenBearReport

Reporter

Matt began his career at Rivals in 2011 as recruiting editor and then publisher for Arizona affiliate, GOAZCATS.com. In 2022, he moved into an expanded role covering Pac-12 recruiting for Rivals.

Cal and women's basketball coach Charmin Smith have agreed to a 3-year contract extension that will keep her at the helm for the Bears through the 2028-29 season, the school announced this afternoon. Smith has guided the program for five years and is coming off her most successful season with Cal wrapping up the 2023-24 campaign with 19 wins.

"We are excited to extend Charmin's contract as we generate momentum with our move to the ACC," Cal AD Jim Knowlton said in a statement released by the school announcing the news. "Charmin took our team to a new level this season, and I'm excited about the direction of our program under her leadership. Charmin understands and embraces everything it takes to thrive as a Cal student-athlete, and I can't wait to see what the future holds for our team."

The Bears have a strong recruiting class coming in next season highlighted by top-100 prospects Kamryn Mafua and Zahra King.

"Cal is where I want to be and I'm thrilled that Jim and our university are committed to me leading this team into the ACC," Smith said. "We accomplished a lot of great things this season and have momentum moving into next year during the most exciting time in women's basketball. I'm proud of the progress we've made and I'm looking forward to taking the next steps with this special staff and the talent we are fortunate to coach."