FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a move that marks a new chapter for the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s basketball program, Kelsi Musick has been appointed as the 10th head coach in the team’s 49-year history. The announcement was made on March 21, 2025, following the resignation of previous coach Mike Neighbors after the team finished with a disappointing record of 10 wins and 22 losses in the 2024-25 season.
Musick, who signed a five-year contract worth $600,000 per year, comes to Arkansas after a notable three-year tenure at Oral Roberts University (ORU). During her time with the Golden Eagles, she posted an impressive 57-39 record, culminating in consecutive postseason appearances and progressively increasing win totals each year: 12 wins in her first season, followed by 21, and finally 24 wins this past season, the most for ORU since the 1982-83 season.
“As I spoke to Kelsi and people associated with her, I was impressed by her work ethic, enthusiasm and her ability to maximize resources in building winning programs at each of her coaching stops,” said Arkansas Director of Athletics Hunter Yurachek during the announcement. “She has proven to be a great relationship builder and communicator throughout her career to the benefit of her teams and student-athletes on and off the court.”
The Golden Eagles concluded their recent season on March 20, 2025, after falling to Missouri State 107-76 in the first round of the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT), finishing the year with a 24-9 record. Musick’s teams have consistently performed well, scoring an average of 83.2 points per game during the regular season, placing them in national rankings among the top 20 for scoring.
Under Musick’s leadership, ORU achieved a second-place finish in the Summit League this past season, building momentum that excited Razorback supporters. Musick also coached standout players like Emily Robinson, the 2023-24 Summit League Freshman of the Year, and the top two scorers on her team, Taleyah Jones and Jalei Oglesby, both of whom were recognized as All-Summit League First Team members.
“This 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,” Musick expressed. “I want to thank Hunter Yurachek and his staff for their belief in me, and I can’t wait to pour into our student-athletes, compete in the SEC and represent this university with pride.”
Prior to her successful run at Oral Roberts, Musick coached at Southwestern Oklahoma State University, where she achieved a stellar 259-125 record over 13 seasons, leading the Lady Bulldogs to the NCAA Division II national championship game in 2019 and earning multiple conference coach of the year awards.
Musick’s coaching philosophy emphasizes a fast-paced and high-scoring style of play, and she has already garnered attention for her ability to recruit top talent. Her experience in not just building programs but also fostering player development will be vital as she takes the helm at a Razorbacks team looking to rebound from one of its worst seasons.
The Razorbacks are positioned in the incredibly competitive Southeastern Conference (SEC), which had 10 of 16 teams advance to the NCAA tournament in 2025. Musick will face the challenge of elevating the team’s performance, aiming for their first tournament advancement since 1998.
As Musick prepares for her new role, she brings with her a rich background not only as a coach but also as a player. A former standout point guard at Cameron University, she holds the school’s records for career three-point shooting percentage and assists and was inducted into the Cameron University Athletics Hall of Fame in February 2025.
Musick's hiring is seen as a strategic move by the University of Arkansas, aimed at revitalizing a program that has seen ups and downs in recent years. With her track record of success and a vision for the future, the Razorback community is hopeful that she will lead the team back to prominence.
The formal introduction of Kelsi Musick is scheduled for a press conference on Monday, March 24, 2025, where she will outline her plans for the Razorbacks and engage with fans and media alike.
As the new head coach, Musick will undoubtedly face high expectations as she takes on a program that has a rich tradition and passionate supporters eagerly anticipating a return to competitive form in the SEC. The mission now lies with her to inspire her players and restore the Razorbacks to their former glory.
