Kara Lawson Leaves Duke for Arizona State to Take On a New Challenge and Spend More Time With Family
In a stunning move that has sent shockwaves through the college basketball world, Duke women’s basketball head coach Kara Lawson has announced her departure from the program to accept the head coaching job at Arizona State University. The decision marks the end of a transformative era in Durham and the beginning of a new chapter for Lawson—both professionally and personally.
“This wasn’t an easy decision,” Lawson said in a heartfelt statement on Wednesday. “But it’s the right one for my family and for the next phase of my coaching journey. Duke has been my home, and I’ll always be grateful for the players, staff, and fans who made it so special. Arizona State offers an exciting new challenge, and being closer to my family was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.”
A Legacy Built in Durham
Since taking over the Blue Devils program in 2020, Lawson has become synonymous with Duke women’s basketball. A former Tennessee star and Olympic gold medalist, Lawson brought both grit and grace to Cameron Indoor Stadium, building a culture rooted in discipline, empowerment, and resilience.
Under her leadership, Duke consistently climbed the national rankings, made deep NCAA Tournament runs, and recruited at an elite level. Lawson turned the Blue Devils into a perennial contender, restoring the program to the prominence it enjoyed under previous coaching greats like Gail Goestenkors and Joanne P. McCallie.
During her tenure, Duke saw a surge in player development. Stars like Celeste Taylor, Shayeann Day-Wilson, and Reigan Richardson all flourished under her system, gaining national recognition and becoming WNBA draft prospects.
Beyond wins and losses, Lawson’s impact was cultural. She championed mental health awareness, emphasized academic excellence, and advocated for racial and gender equity in collegiate athletics. Her fiery sideline demeanor was matched only by her passion for empowering the next generation of female leaders.
“She made us believe in ourselves, on and off the court,” said one former player. “Coach Lawson didn’t just teach basketball—she taught us how to lead.”
Why Arizona State?
While some expected Lawson’s next move to be a WNBA head coaching job or even an assistant role with Team USA, few saw Arizona State as the destination—until now.
Sources close to the situation say Lawson was drawn to Arizona State by the university’s investment in women’s sports, its burgeoning NIL infrastructure, and its commitment to building a national powerhouse in women’s basketball. With state-of-the-art facilities and access to top-tier West Coast talent, ASU provides a fresh slate for a coach with championship aspirations.
But equally important was geography.
Lawson, a native of the Washington D.C. area and a longtime East Coast presence, has recently emphasized the importance of being near family. Her parents, aging and facing health concerns, live in the Southwest. Several close relatives reside in Arizona and Southern California, making Tempe an ideal landing spot.
“This isn’t just a basketball decision—it’s a life decision,” Lawson told reporters. “At this point in my life, I need to be there for my family the way they’ve always been there for me. Arizona State gives me the rare opportunity to coach at a high level and also live with balance.”
What This Means for Duke
Lawson’s exit leaves a significant void at Duke, a program she helped revitalize over the past five years. The university confirmed that associate head coach Tia Jackson will serve as interim head coach while a national search is conducted.
Duke Athletic Director Nina King issued the following statement:
“Kara Lawson has been a phenomenal ambassador for Duke University and an exceptional leader of our women’s basketball program. Her passion, integrity, and commitment to excellence have left an indelible mark on this institution. While we are saddened to see her go, we respect her decision and wish her nothing but success at Arizona State.”
King also emphasized the school’s commitment to sustaining the momentum Lawson helped build, citing ongoing recruiting efforts and investments in program infrastructure.
Speculation has already begun about who might take the reins in Durham. Early names include South Carolina assistant Jolette Law, former UConn star and current WNBA assistant Shea Ralph, and current Notre Dame head coach Niele Ivey—though poaching Ivey would be a tall order. Duke may also look internally, with Tia Jackson considered a strong candidate should the team rally under her leadership next season.
Arizona State’s Big Swing
For Arizona State, hiring Lawson is a major statement. The Sun Devils have long been considered a sleeping giant in women’s college basketball. While they’ve had flashes of success—particularly under longtime coach Charli Turner Thorne—consistency and national relevance have remained elusive.
With Lawson, ASU gains not only a proven winner but also a magnetic recruiter and program builder with connections at every level of the sport. Her arrival is expected to jolt the program into the national spotlight, reinvigorate the fanbase, and potentially spark a recruiting pipeline from the East Coast to the desert.
“This hire shows we’re serious,” said ASU athletic director Ray Anderson. “Kara Lawson is a transformative coach. We’re ready to support her vision and compete for championships.”
In an era of conference realignment, NIL, and transfer portal chaos, Lawson’s presence could stabilize and elevate Arizona State at a time when stability and leadership are at a premium.
A Career of Defying Expectations
Kara Lawson’s path has always been unconventional—and relentlessly inspiring.
She was the first woman to serve as a primary TV analyst for an NBA team. She was a trusted assistant under Brad Stevens with the Boston Celtics. She earned Olympic gold both as a player and as a coach. And at Duke, she shattered stereotypes about women in high-profile coaching roles.
Now, as she heads west, Lawson does so with her trademark courage and clarity.
“I don’t coach for the headlines,” she once said. “I coach because I believe in the power of sports to change lives.”
That ethos will serve her well in Tempe, just as it did in Durham.
What’s Next?
Lawson is expected to be officially introduced at Arizona State later this week. She’ll immediately hit the ground running, tasked with rebuilding the Sun Devils roster via the transfer portal and upcoming recruiting cycles. Sources say she’s already reached out to several former recruits and is assembling an elite coaching staff, including at least one former WNBA player.
Meanwhile, Duke faces a critical summer—one that could define the program’s trajectory for years to come. But if Lawson’s time at Duke taught fans anything, it’s this: Resilience is in the program’s DNA.
As for Lawson herself, she remains focused—and grateful.
“I’ve never been afraid of the next step,” she said. “This is a new beginning, and I’m ready.