Marquette hires Cara Consuegra as women's basketball coach
Updated: 5 p.m. on April 18, 2024
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- On Thursday, April 18, Consuegra was introduced in front of family, friends, Marquette administration, as well as current and former players.
After spending seven years as an assistant, Consuegra called the decision easy to return.
"This is really special to me, as you know, to stand up here and say I am your head women's basketball coach. Marquette is not a job to us," said Consuegra. "This university is special. This community is special. And we are just so thrilled to be back here, to be able to pour into this community and this university because it is so dear to us."
Consuegra is the seventh coach in program history. During her time with Mitchell, the Golden Eagles made the postseason every year and won the WNIT Championship in 2008. Mitchell says she could always see a future head coach in Consuegra.
"When I saw her name came up, I just texted her. This is fantastic. I couldn't be happier. I know the program is in great hands because I know Cara's character. Not just a great basketball mind that she is. But she will first and foremost care about her players, her staff, the people in the community," said Mitchell, who is the all-time wins leader at 348-215.
"I will be supporting her in any way that I can. I will be cheering in the stands. I will do anything I can for her because I know Marquette is in great hands."
Consuegra had plenty of success with the 49ers and hopes to carry that over to Marquette. She met with the current team on Thursday and will look to build her roster from there.
Long-term, she wants to build on the program's success in her vision.
"We want this to be the program that everyone in this community comes to support. The Al McGuire Center is just a tremendous environment for women's basketball. We want to see that place full. We want people to come out. We want people to be proud of the product they have on the floor. And we want to create momentum. Just like women's basketball has around the country right now. Why can't we do that in Milwaukee," said Consuegra.
The full interview with Consuegra can be found here.
Posted: 7:08 p.m. on April 17, 2024
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) - Two weeks after Megan Duffy was announced as the next basketball coach at Virgina Tech, the Marquette women's basketball team has found its next head coach.
Cara Consuegra will take over the women's basketball program. Consuegra spent 13 seasons at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte with a 225-169 record, making the NCAA Tournament in 2022.
Consuegra is familiar with Milwaukee after being an assistant with the Golden Eagles from 2004-11 under longtime head coach Terri Mitchell.
"My family and I are very excited to be returning to Marquette, a place that we consider home," said Consuegra via a Marquette athletics release.
"I want to thank Bill Scholl and Dr. Lovell for the opportunity to lead this prestigious program. I also want to thank Charlotte and all the people and players who allowed us to be a part of their lives for 13 incredible years."
Consuegra is the all-time wins leader at Charlotte earning Conference USA Coach of the Year honors in 2021-22.
She will be formally introduced on Thursday at 2 p.m. CT at the Alumni Memorial Union on the campus of Marquette University.