UCLA's Cori Close says WNBA is her likely next step if she can't find balance in college

Cori Close says she is not leaving UCLA for another college program. The WNBA is a different question.

Close, 55, told the California Post on Wednesday that if she can't find the right balance in college, "that probably would be my next step, in the WNBA." She said her tipping point includes being a good daughter, a good friend and keeping her health.

"Honestly, I haven't been doing that and I am determined to do so," Close said.

The contract

Close signed a four-year, $8.0375 million extension in May, after UCLA won the program's first national championship. The deal runs through March 31, 2030.

It also includes a buyout that drops 25% if she takes a WNBA head coaching job. Leave before March 1, 2027, and the price is $1.5 million instead of $2 million. A similar discount applies in each later season of the deal.

The WNBA appeal, she said, is what it lacks. "There's no recruiting, no fundraising – you know, some of those things that I need to do [at UCLA]," Close said.

She also framed the decision in terms of faith. "I'm a person of faith – God gave me this job, and he's gonna let me know when it's time to not have it," she said.

Managing the workload

Close is entering her 17th season at UCLA and is the program's all-time leader with 358 wins. She openly discussed the risk of burnout and said she recently hired an executive coach to help manage her workload.

"That's been really helpful," Close said. "But I think I still am a work in progress in that way."

UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk recently called to check in on her. "How many chancellors do that with their women's basketball coach?" Close asked. She said she feels supported by the administration and that the school is working toward "sustainable excellence in a more balanced fashion."

Frenk has praised the title run. "Their championship was a remarkable achievement, and we look forward to supporting them as they begin a new season and pursue new aspirations," he said in a UCLA release. New athletic director Tim Harris, who previously worked for the Los Angeles Lakers, said in the same release that last season was "historic."

College sports rules

Close also weighed in on federal legislation. She said she wants to see how the Protect College Sports Act could help the sport if it passes the U.S. House of Representatives.

"We absolutely need to have a one-time transfer rule," Close said. She also called for "competitive equity and transparency in how we do NIL" and "boundaries" with "true accountability to what NIL was purposed and intended for originally."

A rebuilt roster

The coach's balance problem is landing on a thin roster. UCLA's six leading scorers from last season all joined the WNBA. Five players return from the title team, joined by five transfers and two freshmen.

One of those returners is gone for the year. Sophomore guard/forward Lena Bilić tore her ACL in practice, UCLA announced Sunday. The Zagreb, Croatia, native appeared in all 33 games off the bench last season, averaging three points in 12.1 minutes. She scored a career-high 14 points against Southern on Nov. 23.

"We are devastated for Lena," Close said in a statement. "She is such an important part of what we do here, and I know she'll continue to be impactful for us through her recovery."

UCLA has now lost a player to a knee injury for the second straight season. Fifth-year forward Timea Gardiner, who sat out last season with an undisclosed knee injury, is back from her redshirt year.

Senior center Amanda Muse is among the returners the team is leaning on to carry the standard set by the 2026 graduating class. "We're great at connecting off the court, and that shows on the court," Muse said of the group.

What comes next

The Bruins open exhibition play against California on Oct. 14. The regular season begins Nov. 2 against Lehigh.

The first buyout threshold passes March 1, 2027.