Army West Point Athletics
Katie Kuester Named 2026 Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year
April 01, 2026 | Women's Basketball
PHOENIX – Army West Point Women's Basketball Head Coach Katie Kuester has been named the 2026 Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association announced on Wednesday afternoon.
The award is named in honor of the late Maggie Dixon, who in her inaugural season as Army's head coach, led the Black Knights to the 2006 Patriot League title and their first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship tournament. Dixon, 29, died of an undiagnosed heart condition just weeks after on April 6, 2006.
This is the first time an Army head coach has received this honor.
"I am overwhelmed with emotion, and it is the greatest honor to bring this award back to Army," said Kuester. "Maggie Dixon is Army West Point Women's Basketball. Her presence is felt every day at West Point and her legacy within this program is something that words can't describe. None of this would be possible without our incredible cadet-athletes, staff and administration that pour their hearts into this program. I am so thankful to the WBCA for this unbelievable recognition."
Kuester led Army to a 26-8 record during her first season, which included a trip to the WNIT Great 8. Kuester's 26 wins are the most by a first-year head coach in program history and it's the second most wins in a season in Army's history. The Black Knights finished tied for second in the Patriot League this year and won two games in the WNIT, marking the farthest trip in the tournament by a Patriot League team.
Kuester, a native of Media, Pa., spent a decade (2015-25) on the coaching staff at Saint Joseph's, where she played for four seasons. She also spent time as a staff member at Loyola Maryland and North Carolina. She is the daughter of longtime NBA coach John Kuester, who spent 20 years in the league with teams including the Detroit Pistons, Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Lakers.
"Katie Kuester embodies everything this award represents – grit, resilience, and an unwavering commitment to her players," said Army West Point Director of Athletics Tom Theodorakis. "To be recognized in honor of Maggie Dixon makes this moment even more meaningful, reminding us all of her legacy and deep passion for Army Women's Basketball. What Katie has accomplished in such a short time speaks not only to her talent as a coach, but to her ability to build, train, and inspire the future leaders of this country.
"Success in your first year as an NCAA Division I head coach is generally a difficult feat. When a new Division I head coach demonstrates a mastery of managing all aspects of a program, as well as producing success in competition, our coaching family pays respectful attention. The WBCA is proud to announce Katie Kuester as the winner of the 2026 Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year award," said WBCA Executive Director Danielle Donehew. "Katie led Army West Point to a remarkable season. We celebrate her effort and effectiveness on the basketball court as a teacher and equally applaud the extensive role she plays in impacting the lives of her cadet-athletes."
"Spalding is proud to celebrate Katie Kuester as the 2026 Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year, together with the WBCA," said Brian Collins, Spalding VP. "This award is a symbol of the leadership, mentorship, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court, which Katie embodies every day with her approach to inspiring and impacting the lives of cadet-athletes. We want to congratulate Katie on such a successful first year and look forward to watching future team achievements."
The first Spalding® Maggie Dixon NCAA Division I Rookie Coach of the Year award was presented in 2007, the year following Dixon's death. To see a list of past recipients, visit WBCA.org.
