Sytia Messer

Sytia Messer is entering her fourth season as head coach of UCF women’s basketball. She was named the 13th head coach in program history in April 2022 and has already guided the Knights to record-breaking starts and success in their transition to the Big 12. Messer previously served on staff at LSU and Baylor, where she helped build championship teams and recruit top national talent. Earlier in her career, she was the head coach at Tennessee Tech and an assistant at Georgia Tech, Memphis, and Arkansas State. As a player at the University of Arkansas (1995–99), Messer helped lead the Razorbacks to their first Final Four in 1998. She graduated with a degree in kinesiology and has since built a reputation as a top recruiter and leader in women’s basketball.