Staff Directory
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Phone:
- 205-348-7077
- Hometown: Luxora, Ark.
- Education: Southern Mississippi, 2010
- Birthday: April 5
- 2026-present: Alabama, Head Coach
- 2025-26: Oklahoma, Associate Head Coach
- 2024-25: Alabama, Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
- 2017-24: Arkansas, Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator
- 2013-17: Southern Mississippi, Assistant Coach
- 2012-13: McNeese State, Assistant Coach
- 2010-11: French Professional League
- 2010: Connecticut Sun
- 2007-10: Southern Miss
- 2006-07: Jones College
Pauline Love returned to Tuscaloosa and was introduced as head women's basketball coach at the University of Alabama on April 1, 2026 following previous stints at Oklahoma and Alabama. Love, the program's 10th head coach, is a highly respected and considered one of the top recruiters in the nation.
"We are thrilled to welcome Pauline back to Tuscaloosa," said Greg Byrne. "Throughout this process, we spoke with several people, and she quickly rose to the top of that list. Pauline's vision for this program and preparation to lead Alabama women's basketball is incredibly impressive, and we look forward to seeing the Tide continue to rise under her leadership."
Most recently Love served as the associate head coach for the Oklahoma Sooners under head coach Jennie Baranczyk for a season (2025-26) following her year-long stint at The Capstone as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator in 2024-25.Â
"I'm incredibly honored to lead the Alabama women's basketball program," said Love. "This is a place with a championship standard, and we're going to build a team that reflects that every day through toughness, togetherness and trust. I'm excited to get to work with our players, connect with this community and build something special in Tuscaloosa. I want to thank Greg Byrne, President Mohler and the Board of Trustees for this opportunity."
Oklahoma (2025-26)
- Assisted in leading Oklahoma to a 26-8 overall record, including 11 victories during Southeastern Conference play
- Aided in the Sooners' 26th NCAA Tournament appearance and its advancement to its 12th Sweet 16Â
- Helped Oklahoma to a program-best 85.9 points per game which also ranked in the top five nationallyÂ
- Aided in the Sooners' top 20 ranking in both the Associated Press and USA Today Coaches Polls throughout the season
- Assisted in the development of first team All-SEC and All-America honoree Reagan Beers and national freshman of the year recipient Aaliyah Chavez
Alabama (2024-25)
- Aided Alabama to a 24-9 overall record during the 2024-25 season, marking the fourth consecutive 20-win season
- Helped the program to its 14 NCAA Tournament appearance Â
- Assisted in the squad becoming the fastest Crimson Tide team to reach 20 wins in a season (Feb. 9, 2025 at Mississippi State)
- Helped the UA receive a top 25 ranking in both the Associated Press Poll and USA Today Coaches Poll, which included staying ranked every week in the coaches poll
- Assisted in the team's 13-1 non-conference record which marked the best start to a season in program history
- Helped Alabama collect a 10-6 SEC record, marking the fourth time in program history that Alabama has collected at least 10 conference winsÂ
- Aided in the development of two All-SEC players in Sarah Ashlee Barker (first team) and Aaliyah Nye (second team)Â
Arkansas (2017-24)
- Originally joined the Razorbacks' staff as an assistant coach, but because of her ability to connect with players and to do so successfully, she moved to the role of the recruiting coordinator in 2019
- Recruited and helped sign McDonald's All-American five-star recruits Maryam Dauda, Jersey Wolfenbarger and Taliah Scott, as well as in-state prodigy, four-star prospect Jenna LawrenceÂ
- On the court, Love played a role in post-player development for Arkansas, helping the program achieve postseason eligibility for five-out-of-seven years prior to the 2023-24 season, including two NCAA appearancesÂ
Southern Mississippi (2013-17)
- Helped in all aspects of recruiting, including operations
- Scouted upcoming opponentsÂ
- Contributed to film breakdowns
McNeese State (2012-13)
- Handled on-campus and off-campus recruiting
- Oversaw all social media and marketing effortsÂ
- Coordinated camps and clinics
- Contributed to scouting opponents and skill development in student-athletes
- Worked with both guards and post players
Playing Career
- Three-time Hall of Famer, including Southern Miss M-Club, Jones College HOF and Mississippi Community CollegeÂ
- Played one year in the French Professional League with Cote D'Opale Basket CalaisÂ
- Spent a season with the Connecticut Suns before entering free agencyÂ
- Rewrote the record books as a player and reached program firsts at both Jones County Junior College and Southern Miss during her collegiate career
- Played for Hall of Fame coach, Sandra Sumrall, at Jones College
- Became the first JCJC player in nearly a decade to be named NJCAA All-American
- Finished top-10 in USM program history in the following categories, including second in rebounding average (11.1), third in rebounding (1,051), fourth in scoring average (16.6), fifth in field goals made (648) and field goals attempted (1,436), sixth in scoring (1,576), seventh in 3-point goals made (94) and attempted (307) and 10th in minutes played (3,188)
- Three-time All-Conference USA First Team Â
- Arkansas Miss Basketball (2005)
- Daughter of Annie Williams
