Shannon LeBeauf returns to Cori Close’s UCLA women’s basketball staff

One of Cori Close’s favorite assistant coaches is rejoining her staff.

Shannon LeBeauf, who spent last season at Rutgers after working alongside Close for the previous 14 years, is returning as associate head coach of the UCLA women’s basketball team.

LeBeauf replaces Michaela Onyenwere, who was on a one-year contract before returning to the WNBA this summer.

Close’s affinity for LeBeauf was apparent in February when she honored her longtime assistant with a pregame ceremony before the Bruins played Rutgers at Pauley Pavilion.

After the game, with her team well on the way to its first NCAA championship, Close paid tribute to LeBeauf immediately after she sat down to speak with reporters.

“We are not in this position without the investment in this program that coach Shannon gave us for 14 years,” Close said.

An ace recruiter who helped secure two top-ranked recruiting classes at UCLA — in addition to multiple top-10 classes at previous stops Duke and USC — LeBeauf was inducted into the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.

“UCLA has always been a special place for me because of the people, the purpose and the commitment to excellence that exists throughout the program,” LeBeauf said in a statement.

“My time away provided valuable opportunities to grow as a coach, a leader and a person, and I return with an even greater appreciation for what makes UCLA exceptional. I am thankful for God’s faithfulness throughout my journey and for the opportunity to return to a place that has been so meaningful to my growth both personally and professionally.”

During her 14 years on Close’s staff, LeBeauf served as recruiting coordinator and was promoted to associate head coach before the 2019–20 season. She helped bring in the school’s first top-ranked recruiting class in 2014–15 that included Recee Fox, Jordin Canada, Monique Billings, Lajahna Drummer and Kelli Hayes.

Thanks in large part to LeBeauf, UCLA brought in another top-ranked recruiting class in 2021–22 that included Kiki Rice, Gabriela Jaquez, Londynn Jones, Christeen Iwuala and Lina Sontag. Rice and Jaquez were central parts of the team that won the national title in April.

LeBeauf also helped establish the Leaders in Training mentorship program for players.

“Shannon LeBeauf has been such an integral part of our program,” Close said. “She is an elite recruiter and coach who knows how to build a No. 1 recruiting class and develop them to their full potential, both as student-athletes and as young women. We’re so happy to welcome her back to UCLA — she leads with humility and grace, and she creates such meaningful relationships with everyone in our program. I’m so excited that she’ll be on our sideline again; her voice and her presence is one of a kind.”

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