Courtney Banghart Has Transformed UNC Women’s Basketball Since Sweet 16 Exit, Leading Tar Heels Back with Renewed Culture and Success

When the University of North Carolina women’s basketball team suffered a disappointing Sweet 16 exit in the NCAA Tournament, many wondered how the Tar Heels would respond. But for head coach Courtney Banghart, the loss marked the beginning of a transformation—one that would reshape the program’s identity, culture, and trajectory.

Banghart, now in her sixth season at the helm, has used the setback not as a defeat but as a launching point for revitalizing one of the most tradition-rich programs in women’s college basketball. Since that tournament exit, Banghart has reinvigorated the roster, sharpened the team’s playing philosophy, doubled down on recruiting, and implemented a leadership-first approach that’s turning heads across the country.

A Wake-Up Call in the Sweet 16

The 2024 NCAA Tournament saw UNC fall to a battle-tested opponent in the Sweet 16. It was a frustrating end to what had otherwise been a promising season. That game, marked by missed opportunities, defensive lapses, and a lack of consistency, exposed areas that needed immediate attention.

“I remember walking off the court thinking, ‘This is not our ceiling, but we have to demand more,’” Banghart said in a post-season interview. “It wasn’t just about Xs and Os—it was about culture, hunger, and unity.”

Her focus quickly turned toward internal development. Players were challenged not only to improve their skill sets but to take ownership of the team’s identity.

A Renewed Emphasis on Culture

Banghart’s first move post-Sweet 16 was to reinforce a strong cultural foundation. Drawing inspiration from successful programs she admired, she began emphasizing mental toughness, accountability, and team-first values in all aspects of Tar Heel basketball.

Every player, from incoming freshmen to veteran starters, was asked to participate in offseason leadership sessions, film reviews, and team-building activities. The result? A more cohesive unit committed to playing for each other and pushing past individual egos.

“We’ve got a vibe here now that feels different,” junior guard Lexi Donarski said. “Coach Banghart set the tone after the tournament—she made us believe we could be more.”

The team adopted a “Blueprint for the Next Step” manifesto, which included standards for everything from practice effort to off-court discipline. It’s now pinned on the locker room wall as a constant reminder of what it takes to compete at an elite level.

Recruiting with Purpose

Banghart also responded with a bold push on the recruiting trail. Since the Sweet 16 loss, UNC has landed several high-profile commitments, including a five-star point guard from California and a top-three national wing from the DMV area. These additions reflect not just talent acquisition, but a commitment to bringing in athletes who fit the cultural and competitive mold Banghart desires.

“You can’t rebuild with just players—you rebuild with the right players,” she said. “We’re looking for Tar Heels. That’s not just a jersey; it’s a mindset.”

Her recruiting pitch has shifted too. Rather than focusing solely on the program’s legacy or campus appeal, Banghart is selling a vision of development, legacy-building, and winning at the highest level—together.

“We’re not promising stars; we’re promising opportunity,” she told prospective recruits. “And if you want to be part of something that outlasts you, this is where you come.”

Player Development and Breakouts

Several returning players have taken noticeable leaps. Junior forward Alyssa Ustby, for example, has improved her shooting range and now plays as a stretch-four, adding versatility to the Tar Heel offense. Sophomore guard Kayla McPherson has become a defensive anchor, thanks in part to offseason agility and strength work.

Banghart hired a new strength and conditioning coordinator in April, and the results have been visible. The team is playing faster, with more resilience and fewer late-game breakdowns.

“We’re working smarter, training harder, and playing freer,” Banghart said. “The confidence you see now didn’t just appear—it’s been built.”

Tactical Adjustments: A Modern System

While culture and player development formed the foundation of UNC’s resurgence, Banghart also made key adjustments to her tactical approach. The Tar Heels now play a more fluid, positionless style of basketball, often featuring three-guard lineups, quick ball movement, and a commitment to switching on defense.

This has opened up the floor for dynamic scorers and made the team harder to scout.

“I didn’t want to run a system; I wanted to create a style,” Banghart said. “We want to be modern, aggressive, and unpredictable.”

Assistant coach hiring also reflected that strategic shift. Banghart brought in two assistants with NBA and WNBA development experience, giving her players a taste of professional-level schemes and expectations.

Embracing Community and Legacy

Perhaps the most profound change has been Banghart’s reconnection with the broader UNC community and alumni base. In the wake of the Sweet 16 loss, she initiated a “Legends Weekend,” inviting former players to practice, speak with the team, and share their stories. The event has now become an annual tradition.

Alums like Ivory Latta and Sylvia Crawley have praised Banghart’s outreach, calling it “the bridge this program needed to unite past and present.”

Fans, too, are taking notice. Home games at Carmichael Arena are once again becoming must-see events, with student sections filling up earlier and fan interaction at an all-time high.

Eyes on the Future: A Top-10 Ranking

As the 2025-26 season nears, UNC enters with its highest preseason ranking since 2014. Analysts project the Tar Heels as a top contender for the ACC title and a legitimate Final Four threat. Much of that optimism stems from the visible changes Banghart has ushered in—on and off the court.

“I don’t think we’re there yet,” Banghart cautioned. “But we’re on the road, and that’s a beautiful thing.”

With a roster that blends experience, depth, and blue-chip recruits, the team appears poised to make a serious postseason run. Practices are sharp, preseason scrimmages have looked promising, and team morale is sky-high.

More Than a Coach

Courtney Banghart has become more than a basketball coach at UNC—she’s now a builder of legacy, a cultivator of people, and a visionary leader. The Sweet 16 loss, once seen as a disappointment, now reads like the necessary fire that fueled a renaissance.

“Losses hurt. But sometimes they teach you what winning really requires,” Banghart said recently. “I’m proud of where we are, and more proud of where we’re going.”

In a sport where change is constant and expectations are high, Banghart has proven she’s up for the challenge. With the Tar Heels thriving once again, it’s clear that North Carolina women’s basketball is in the midst of something special—thanks to the resolve, vision, and heart of its head coach.

And as the banners in Carmichael Arena quietly whisper reminders of past greatness, Banghart and her players are scripting their own chapter—one that might soon end with a national title.