Texas Rio Grande Valley Trailblazing New Mexico Women’s Basketball Coach

Trailblazer Head Coach Brings New Style to New Mexico Women’s Basketball Team

Basketball Coach Yvonne Sanchez has led both team and players to new heights

RIO GRANDE VALLEY, Texas - In recent years, the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros women’s basketball program has been a force to be reckoned with. Since taking over as head coach in 2019, UTRGV alum Yvonne Sanchez has completely transformed the program and led the Vaqueros to great heights.

She led UTRGV to back-to-back Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament championships and NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021 and 2022. The Vaqueros also won the program's first-ever WAC regular-season title in 2022.

Sanchez's success at UTRGV has not gone unnoticed. Recently, she was named the new head coach of the University of New Mexico (UNM) women's basketball team. Sanchez becomes the first Hispanic head coach in UNM women's basketball history in her new role. She is also the first female head coach in any sport at a Power Five conference school in the state of New Mexico.

Sanchez will replace Mike Bradbury, who left UNM to become the head coach at South Dakota State. Sanchez brings a wealth of experience and success to UNM. She has a career record of 136-69, including a 62-26 record at UTRGV.

Sanchez is known for her up-tempo style of play. The Vaqueros led the nation in scoring in 2021-22, averaging 86.2 points per game. Sanchez also led UTRGV to the NCAA Tournament in 2021, where they lost to top-seeded Louisville in the first round.

Sanchez's success at UTRGV is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has built a winning culture at UTRGV, and has been a great role model for her players. She is a rising star in the coaching ranks. Also, she is a great addition to the UNM community.

Sanchez's hiring is a historic moment for UNM. She is a role model for young women and girls, and she is sure to lead the Lobos to great success in the years to come.