After Chelsea Lyles announced her resignation on March 24, FGCU Athletic Director Colin Hargis wasted no time in commencing the search for the next women’s basketball coach. On Friday, April 4, FGCU announced Iowa assistant coach Raina Harmon as the next head coach of the women’s basketball program.
“It’s a great day for FGCU to welcome Raina Harmon to the Nest as the next leader of our women’s basketball program,” Hargis said in the release. “Harmon’s energy, passion and commitment to student-athletes combined with her coaching experience will champion the continued growth and success for the FGCU women’s basketball program.”
Harmon’s tenure as Iowa’s assistant coach saw her help the Hawkeyes to a 208-63 record and five Big Ten conference titles. Her other achievements include coaching and developing several WNBA draft picks, including 2024 AP and Naismith Player of the Year Caitlin Clark, eight appearances in the NCAA tournament and back-to-back National Championship appearances in 2023 and 2024.
Before Iowa, Harmon spent two years at Michigan as the director of women’s basketball operations before coaching at her alma mater, Central Michigan University. As an assistant coach, she helped the Chippewas reach the NCAA Tournament in 2013.
“I am absolutely honored to be named the next head coach at Florida Gulf Coast University,” Harmon said. “This position is one of the best jobs in the country and I am grateful for the opportunity to lead such a prestigious program.”
Harmon will be the third women’s basketball coach in FGCU history. After program-founding coach Karl Smesko departed for the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream on Nov. 13, FGCU turned to associate head coach Chelsea Lyles for the remainder of the 2024-25 season.
In her lone season as head coach, Lyles led the Eagles (30-4) to a 30-2 record, ASUN Regular Season and Conference Championships, and a ninth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. Lyles announced her resignation two days after the FGCU Eagles fell to the Oklahoma Sooners, 81-58, in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.
Harmon will be officially introduced as FGCU’s women’s basketball coach on Tuesday, April 8, during an invitation-only event that will also be available as a live stream.
