From foe to friend: Guzzardo becomes new McNeese women’s basketball coach
Published 4:27 pm Monday, March 24, 2025
- Then-Southeastern Louisiana women’s head coach Ayla Guzzardo. (Kirk Meche/ Special to the American Press)
After putting on another one of his full-court presses, McNeese State Athletic Director Heath Schroyer landed another blow to the rest of the Southland Conference.
Monday, Schroyer officially introduced his new women’s basketball coach — and she is someone Cowgirl fans know all too well.
Two-time SLC Coach of the Year Ayla Guzzardo, who has beaten McNeese in nine straight meetings and 11 of 12 while at Southeastern, became the new Cowgirls’ leader at a press conference in the Legacy Center.
Guzzardo leaves her hometown after eight seasons at the helm of the Lady Lions. She led them to their best season, 26-6, and won the SLC regular season with a 19-1 record.
Guzzardo signed a five-year deal worth $150,000 a year plus incentives with McNeese.
“I couldn’t be more excited about hiring Ayla to be our next Cowgirls’ basketball head coach,” said Schroyer. “I’ve followed her career for the last few years, and she’s one of the best young coaches in America.
“She is a winner. She was my No. 1 target from the start.”
Guzzardo isn’t coming alone. She is expected to bring her staff and more than a few players from Southeastern’s championship team.
“I have spoken to the players here and my players there, and yes, most will be coming with me,” Guzzardo said.
The women’s basketball portal officially opens next Monday.
Guzzardo was introduced to Cowgirl fans at a well-attended gathering in the Legacy Center. She immediately began to win them over with her energy and passion for her new surroundings.
“I do love wearing the blue,” said Guzzardo. “This place has every resource and tradition to win again.”
Guzzardo’s Lady Lions have reached the semifinals of the Southland tourney in each of the last five seasons, posted a 122-105 record overall, and were 87-54 in Southland.
Over the last five years, Guzzardo’s Lady Lions have been 93-47 and 67-18 in the conference. They won two regular-season titles and finished second twice in that span, making the NCAA Tournament for the only time in program history in 2023.
Guzzardo replaces Lynn Kennedy, whose contract was not extended after four seasons. After a solid first two years of rebuilding, Kennedy’s Cowgirls struggled.
McNeese was just 12-46 the two previous years, his last two seasons.
The new coach’s expectations are high.
“Year one, we should be able to compete for the championship,” said Guzzardo. “We don’t want to just get tournament experience; we want to make memories.”
That means Guzzardo believes she can win big games at McNeese.
“We will win games here,” said Guzzardo. “We will win championships. We will get McNeese State University back to the NCAA Tournament.
“I don’t want to win by a little, I want to win by a lot.”
McNeese has not had a winning record since going 18-14 in the 2014-15 campaign. They haven’t made the NCAA Tournament since 2012.
Based on watching her Southeastern teams, McNeese can expect to see a team playing hard and fast. The Lion Lions were also physical and played tough defense.
“We are not going to back down,” said Guzzardo. “We are going to be aggressive.”
That’s just what Cowgirl fans were hoping to hear.
The Ayla Guzzardo File
College Coaching Experience
2010-14 Assistant Coach – Akron
2015-16 Assistant Coach – Southeastern Louisiana
2017-25 Head Coach – Southeastern Louisiana
Year-by-Year Head Coach Results
Year Overall Conf Finish Postseason
2024-25 26-6 19-1 1st SLC Finals – WBIT
2023-24 19-12 14-4 T-2nd SLC Semifinals
2022-23 21-10 14-4 1st SLC Champions – NCAA
2021-22 16-11 10-4 3rd SLC Finals
2020-21 11-8 10-5 2nd SLC Semifinals
2019-20 12-17 9-11 8th No Postseason-Covid
2018-19 9-20 4-14 12th
2017-18 8-21 7-11 9th
