Ayla Guzzardo is staying in the Southland Conference.
The longtime Southeastern Louisiana women’s basketball coach has been hired to take over the McNeese women’s basketball program. McNeese Vice President and Director of Athletics Heath Schroyer announced on Sunday the hiring of two-time Southland Conference champion and two-time SLC Coach of the Year.
“I am incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at McNeese State University,” Guzzardo said in a statement. “McNeese is a place with a proud tradition, passionate fans, and a commitment to excellence in every way. I’m excited to get to work building something special. I want to thank Athletic Director Heath Schroyer and (McNeese) President Dr. Wade Rousse for their belief in me and I can’t wait to pour into our student-athletes, compete in the Southland, and represent this university with pride.”
Guzzardo arrives at McNeese after spending the past eight seasons as the head coach at Southeastern Louisiana. During her time at SLU, she led the Lady Lions to two of the last three SLC championships and has twice been named SLC Coach of the Year (2023 and 2025).
She has also guided the Lady Lions to the NCAA Tournament in 2023 and the WBIT in 2025. SLU reached the semifinals of the SLC Tournament in each of the last five seasons.
“I couldn’t be more excited about the hiring of Ayla to be our next Cowgirls’ basketball head coach,” Schroyer said. “I’ve followed her career for the last few years and she’s one of the best young coaches in America. Coach Guzzardo and I share the same vision. She knows how to win championships in this league and we have championship expectations at McNeese. We’re excited to welcome her to Southwest Louisiana.”
The 2010 graduate of Akron University joined the SLU staff in 2015-16 as an assistant coach before being elevated to head coach for the 2016-17 season.
Guzzardo will take over a program that is coming off a 10-21 overall season and 5-15 in SLC play.