Mullen Set to Become Head Coach at Rhode Island

By Carter Schum | March 30, 2026

  Photo Credit: UAlbany Athletics

On Sunday, March 29 the University at Albany announced the departure of head Women’s Basketball coach Colleen Mullen, as she has accepted an offer to become the next head coach at the University of Rhode Island. 

Mullen has been the head coach of the Great Danes since 2018 and led them to a conference championship in 2022, and numerous other postseason berths.

She spent the first two years of her playing career with the Rams, before transferring to New Hampshire where she graduated from in 2003. She began her coaching career at Division II Southern New Hampshire, and then made stops at LIU and Army West Point before arriving in the Capital Region. 

The Rhode Island job opened up after former coach Tammi Reiss was hired by the University of Florida, after leading the Rams to the NCAA tournament in 2025-26. 

The Rams and Great Danes played each other each of the last two seasons, with the teams splitting the two games. 

A national search is expected to commence quickly, in anticipation of the opening of the NCAA transfer portal on April 6, 2026 following the national championship game in Phoenix, Arizona. 

UAlbany currently has announced at least four commitments from high school recruits for next season, including Frankie McClain, Alex Newson, Alexia Bujold and Sophia Carus, though they are likely to be granted release from their signing letters in the forthcoming days if they request so.