Carla Berube Named Northwestern Head Coach
3/25/2026
Princeton Women’s Basketball head coach Carla Berube has accepted the head coaching position at Northwestern University.
During Berube’s tenure, Princeton continued its run not only atop the Ivy League but among the nation’s Top-25 teams. Princeton won five Ivy League championships in six seasons with Berube at the helm, increasing its overall total to 19 with 12 of those titles coming in the last 15 seasons. Her teams posted a 77-7 record against Ivy opponents during the regular season and overall the Tigers were 147-29 (.835) during Berube's tenure with the Tigers.
A national search for the next head coach of Princeton Women’s Basketball will begin immediately.
“It’s incredibly difficult to put into words what these past seven years at Princeton have meant to me and my family,” Berube said. “This place, this community, and this program have impacted me more than words can express. This program is so much more than wins and losses — it’s about the relationships, the growth, and the shared belief in something bigger than ourselves. I’ve had the privilege of coaching some of the most driven, thoughtful, and resilient young women I’ve ever met, and they’ve changed my life forever. What makes Princeton truly special is the connection across generations. Our alumnae are such an important part of this program — they’ve built the foundation we stand on, and they continue to support, mentor, and inspire our current players in meaningful ways. Being part of that lifelong network is something I will always treasure. I will always carry Princeton with me, and I am forever grateful for the trust, memories, and love that this program has given me.”
Princeton continued its regular presence in the postseason under Berube. Her teams qualified for the Ivy League Tournament every season and won four Ivy League Tournament Championships to increase its all-time total to six since the Ivy League Tournament began in 2017.
The Tigers would qualify for the NCAA Tournament five times during Berube’s tenure, increasing Princeton’s all-time NCAA Tournament appearance tally to 13. Her teams would win two NCAA Tournament games, defeating No. 6 seed Kentucky in 2022 and No. 7 seed N.C. State in 2023.
“I am thankful to Carla Berube for everything she has given to Princeton University and Princeton women’s basketball over her seven years as a Tiger,” said Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack ‘00. “She, her coaches and her student-athletes have represented Princeton at a high standard on and off the court, continuing the program’s reign not only atop the Ivy League but among the nation’s elite teams. Everyone associated with Princeton Athletics is grateful for the special moments shared and the championships won in Jadwin and arenas across the country over the past seven years. We wish Carla and her family well at Northwestern and know that Princeton will always hold a special place in their hearts.”
Princeton went 24-6 this season, winning an outright Ivy League regular season championship, claiming the Ivy League Tournament title with a win over Harvard, and making its seventh consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.
Berube was named a finalist for the 2026 Kathy Delaney-Smith Mid-Major Coach of the Year Award along with being part of the Ivy League Coaching Staff of the Year. Her squad finished with five All-Ivy selections in Madison St. Rose, Skye Belker, Fadima Tall, Olivia Hutcherson and Ashley Chea.
Princeton collected 21 wins in 2024-25 with a NET ranking of 46. The Tigers finished second in the Ivy League and received an at-large bid in the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.
The 2023-24 season saw the Tigers win their fifth consecutive Ivy League Tournament title, nabbing a No. 9 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Princeton finished with a NET ranking of No. 35. The Tigers’ victory over No. 20 Oklahoma was the fourth Top-25 win in program history.
The 2022-23 season saw the Tigers go 24-6 and advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year becoming the first Ivy basketball team to do that since Harvard men's team in 2013 and 2014. After starting the Ivy campaign 0-2, the Tigers ripped off 12 straight before sweeping both games at home in the Ivy Tournament, earning a bid to the NCAAs.
Princeton finished with a 25-5 record in 2021-22, advancing to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history. After a second consecutive undefeated regular season championship in the Ivy League, the Tigers swept both games of the Ivy League Tournament to claim Berube's first Ivy Tournament title and earn an automatic bid to NCAAs.
Seeded No. 11, the Tigers knocked off No. 6 Kentucky -- the SEC Tournament champion -- in the First Round, 69-62. Princeton would then take No. 3 Indiana to the limit in the Second Round, falling to the hosts at Assembly Hall, 56-55.
Berube was named Ivy League Coach of the Year for the second season in a row and again coached the Ivy League Player of the Year in unanimous selection Abby Meyers who was also named unanimous first-team All-Ivy. Ellie Mitchell was named Ivy League Defensive Player of the Year, while Julia Cunningham (first team) and Grace Stone (honorable mention) also garnered All-Ivy honors.
The Tigers went 26-1 overall in 2019-20 and finished with a 22-game winning streak. The Tigers’ streak was the second longest in the country behind No. 1 South Carolina. The unit wrapped up the campaign with a RPI of No. 9, the best mark in Ivy history and went undefeated in conference play before the postseason was cancelled due to COVID-19. Berube was named the Ivy League Coach of the Year and Bella Alarie was one of three players to be named All-Ivy as she was honored with her third straight Ivy Player of the Year award. Carlie Littlefield was first-team All-Ivy for the second consecutive season.
