Trade deadline: Michigan wolverine women’s basketball head coach Kimberly Ann Barnes accepted $127.5 million contacts to leave and she promise not to return………. more details
Trade deadline: Michigan wolverine women’s basketball head coach Kimberly Ann Barnes accepted $127.5 million contacts to leave and she promise not to return………. more details
In a shocking twist that has rocked the college basketball world, **Michigan Wolverines women’s basketball head coach Kimberly Ann Barnes** has officially accepted a record-breaking $127.5 million contract** to leave the program, making headlines across the nation. This unprecedented move not only marks the **largest reported payout** for a women’s college basketball coach but also comes with a final statement from Barnes herself: *she will not return
The decision, which surfaced just before the trade deadline, ends a highly successful era for Michigan women’s basketball. Barnes, who took over just a few seasons ago, is credited with reviving the program and pushing it into national prominence. Under her leadership, the Wolverines reached multiple NCAA tournament appearances, boasted top-10 recruiting classes, and posted some of the program’s best win-loss records in history.
I’ve poured everything I have into this team, this school, and these athletes,” Barnes stated during her press conference. “But the opportunity ahead of me is too great to pass up. I leave with pride—and I leave for good.”
Sources suggest Barnes will be heading to a powerhouse program in the SEC or ACC though official confirmation has yet to be released. The mega deal is believed to include full program control, extensive NIL support, and national endorsement opportunities—making it one of the most lucrative coaching contracts in all of college sports, men’s or women’s.
The reaction from the Michigan community has been swift and emotional. Players, alumni, and fans expressed both gratitude and heartbreak as the news broke.
She changed the game for us,” said one current player. “We’re better because of her. It hurts, but we understand.
University officials have confirmed that a nationwide search** for the next head coach will begin immediately. Athletic Director Warde Manuel praised Barnes for her commitment and success, stating:
Coach Barnes set a new standard for excellence. We wish her well in her next endeavor and remain focused on the future of our program.”
While her departure is bittersweet, Kimberly Ann Barnes leaves behind a lasting legacy at Michigan—a foundation of competitiveness, pride, and growth. Her era may have ended, but her impact will be felt for years to come.
