Anna 
Becky Burke, who led the University at Buffalo to a historic 30-win season and WNIT title, has been named the new head coach of the University of Arizona women’s basketball team. The announcement was made Wednesday by Vice President and Director of Athletics Desireé Reed-Francois.
Burke becomes the 10th head coach in the history of the Wildcats’ program.
“This hire reflects our commitment to coaches who not only win, but build culture and develop high-character student-athletes,” said Reed-Francois. “Coach Burke has proven her ability to build programs and lead them to success. She also understands what Arizona and the Tucson community stand for.”
In her third year at Buffalo, Burke guided the Bulls to a program-best 30 wins, culminating in a WNIT championship. The previous season, she led UB to 19 wins, a Mid-American Conference (MAC) Championship game appearance, and a WNIT bid. The Bulls improved their league win total by seven from the season prior, finishing fourth in the MAC despite being picked eighth in the preseason poll.
In her first season at Buffalo, her team ranked among the MAC’s best in categories such as field goal percentage, three-point shooting, scoring defense, and assists.
Burke expressed gratitude and excitement about her new role.
“I would like to thank President Suresh Garimella and Desireé Reed-Francois for this incredible opportunity,” she said. “Arizona has a proud basketball tradition, and I look forward to helping this program compete for championships with a culture built on excellence.”
Before her time in Buffalo, Burke was the head coach at USC Upstate, where she oversaw a 14-win improvement in 2021–22. The Spartans finished third in the Big South after being picked 10th in the preseason poll.
She also had success at NCAA Division II University of Charleston in West Virginia, where she led the program to consecutive 20+ win seasons and a national ranking. Her coaching career began at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Arizona, where she launched the women’s basketball program and posted back-to-back winning seasons.
Burke, a Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania native, was a standout guard at the University of Louisville. She helped lead the Cardinals to the 2009 NCAA championship game and finished her career with over 1,000 points.
Burke and her wife, Savannah, have one son, Banks.
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