After just one season at the helm, FGCU women’s basketball head coach Chelsea Lyles announces she is stepping down.

Her resignation comes two days after the FGCU Eagles fell to the Oklahoma Sooners in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Lyles is a longtime Eagle, playing for FGCU from 2008 to 2010 under longtime coach Karl Smesko. Over her tenure as a student-athlete, she contributed to a 50-12 record and was a two-time first-team All-ASUN selection. She joined the FGCU coaching staff as an assistant in 2011, rose through the coaching ranks, and was promoted to associate head coach in 2019.

Lyles was in her sixth year as associate head coach with a 148-20 record before stepping in as the second-ever women’s basketball coach early in the season following Smesko’s departure to the WNBA.

“Over the past 17 years as an Eagle, I have made unforgettable memories, learned big lessons, experienced the joy of success and the mantle of leadership,” Lyles said in a statement released by FGCU Athletics. “I have so much gratitude for the people that made my time here special and will cherish the relationships made with student-athletes for a lifetime. This year was special, and I am very proud of what this team was able to accomplish this season and thank them for the memories.” 

In her lone season as head coach, Lyles maintained FGCU’s winning ways, leading the Eagles to another 30-win season. Only FGCU and UConn have won 25 or more games for 15 straight years.

As 2024-25 ASUN Coach of the Year, Lyles led the Eagles to a 30-2 record, an undefeated 18-0 ASUN record, ASUN Regular Season and Conference Championships and guided the program to a ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.

“We are grateful to Chelsea for her service and contributions to FGCU as a student-athlete and women’s basketball coach,” said FGCU Director of Athletics Colin Hargis in the release. “She has had many accomplishments, including serving as head coach during the 2024-25 season, winning ASUN Coach of the Year and leading our women’s basketball program to its 9th straight NCAA tournament appearance. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

FGCU said in the statement they will begin a national search for its next women’s basketball head coach.