UMKC announces new women’s basketball head coach

Kansas City’s basketball program is continuing to enter its new era while welcoming back a familiar face.

Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Dr. Brandon Martin announced Wednesday, March 11, that 18-year head coaching veteran Candi Whitaker will return as the Roos’ next head coach heading into the 2026-27 season.

Whitaker, who first took the reins of the Roos in 2006, led Kansas City for six seasons as the seventh head coach in program history. During her initial tenure, Whitaker became one of just two head coaches in school history to guide the Roos to multiple 11-plus win conference seasons and amassed 77 victories, the third-most by a Kansas City head coach at the Division I level.

“We are delighted to welcome Coach Whitaker back to Kansas City,” Dr. Martin said. “She has a proven body of work as a program builder, elite recruiter, and positive role model for student-athletes. Coach Whitaker is familiar with the landscape here in Kansas City and will undoubtedly have a strong presence in the campus and local community. I look forward to partnering with her in building a championship-level program that our fan base will appreciate and support.”

For Whitaker, the move represents both a homecoming and a new opportunity to elevate the Roos.

“It is a tremendous honor to once again have the opportunity to take over the program here at Kansas City. This place means so much to me. It’s where I got my first head coaching job at twenty-six and where Matt and I started our family,” Whitaker said. “In many ways, it shaped me for all that would lie ahead on my coaching journey. I could not be more excited to be back and to get to work to elevate this program once again.”

Whitaker’s hiring follows the conclusion of Dionnah Jackson-Durrett’s four-year tenure as head coach. UMKC Athletics announced Friday, March 6, that Jackson-Durrett would not return next season. Named the program’s 11th head coach in March 2022, Jackson-Durrett compiled a 40-87 overall record and a 16-50 mark in conference play. Under her leadership, the Roos produced eight All-League performers and reached the Summit League Championship semifinals twice, in 2023 and 2025.

“I’d like to thank Coach Jackson-Durrett for the time and effort that she has poured into our women’s basketball program,” said Dr. Martin. “Her four years in Kansas City will be remembered by the impact that she left on our student-athletes both on and off the court. We wish her all the best in her future endeavors.”

As the Roos prepare for the 2026-27 season under Whitaker’s direction, Kansas City aims to build on the foundation laid in recent years and pursue a championship-level standard that resonates with students, alumni, and fans across the community.