July 18, 2024
Joe Foley retires after 37 seasons at Little Rock
Foley: 'I always wanted the opportunity to coach and teach not just basketball but also the game of life'
After an illustrious career spanning 37 seasons and amassing nearly 900 wins, Joe Foley, the head coach of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock women’s basketball team, has announced his retirement. Foley’s tenure is defined by the transformation of his program into a national contender, and cementing his legacy as the state’s most successful collegiate basketball coach.
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Foley’s coaching career is highlighted by his impressive record of 866-324, which places him 11th among active D-I coaches in all-time NCAA women’s basketball victories. Geno Auriemma of UConn is the only active D-I coach who surpasses Foley. Under his leadership, Little Rock’s teams claimed six Ohio Valley Conference regular-season championships and five conference tournament titles. The Trojans made 12 postseason appearances, including six in the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament and six in the WNIT.
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“I always wanted the opportunity to coach and teach not just basketball but also the game of life. My family has always believed in me, pushed me to keep working, and supported each team through all of the years,” Foley said in a statement. “I’m proud of the accomplishments and success our program has experienced over my 21-year tenure, but without a doubt, I am most proud of the impact we’ve made on the lives of hundreds of young women. Being their head coach is one of the greatest honors in my life.”
Foley’s success was not limited to regular seasons; his teams also shone brightly in the NCAA tournaments. Notably, they reached the second round by defeating higher-seeded teams like No. 6 Georgia Tech in 2010 and No. 6 Texas A&M in 2015. The victory over Texas A&M was particularly significant, marking Foley’s 700th career win.
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Foley will transfer the team’s leadership to longtime Trojans assistant Steve Wiedower. Wiedower began his role at Little Rock in 2004, where he served for five seasons. After taking a break to coach the Russellville High School girls’ basketball team, Wiedower returned to Foley’s staff in 2015 as associate head coach.
“What a great experience it has been to work under Coach Foley for 15 years here at Little Rock. Words cannot describe the respect and gratitude I have for him,” said Wiedower in a statement. “Coach Foley built this program from the ground up into one of the top mid-majors in the country. Experiencing multiple NCAA Tournament appearances and winning conference championships under his leadership is something I will cherish forever. His dedication has been instrumental in our success, and I am deeply honored to have been a part of this journey.”
