Utah Valley University women's basketball has promoted McKenzie (Mangino) Lai from assistant coach to associate head coach. She will retain her current responsibilities while also taking on the role of recruiting coordinator. Head coach Dan Nielson praised Lai's contributions that led the team to back-to-back Women’s NIT appearances and a record-setting season with 19 wins. Lai expressed her honor in taking on this role and her commitment to the program’s growth.

By the Numbers
  • Utah Valley women's basketball posted a record 19 wins in the 2024–25 season.
  • The team ranked third nationally in steals per game with 15.2.
State of Play
  • Lai's promotion is seen as a natural next step for the program following recent successes.
  • The Wolverines secured their first postseason victory in history during the last season.
What's Next

Lai is expected to enhance the recruiting efforts at Utah Valley, aiming to attract top talent to build on recent achievements. She will also continue to develop the team's on-court strategies as they look to improve their performance in upcoming seasons.

Bottom Line

The elevation of McKenzie Lai to associate head coach signifies a commitment to continuing Utah Valley's upward trajectory in women's basketball, emphasizing both coaching and recruiting strengths that could lead the program to new successes.