>> IN A CHAOTIC PAST COUPLE OF YEARS FOR FTC, WOMEN’S BASKETBALL WITH SEVERAL NEW COACHES. BUT ONE THING HAS REMAINED CONSTANT. THE EAGLES WINNING THE ASUN CONFERENCE. GULF COAST NEWS SPORTS REPORTER BRADLEY SCHIMMEL WAS AT FTC’S FIRST PRACTICE UNDER NEW HEAD COACHES. THEY PREPARED TIP OFF THE SEASON. >> TODAY WAS THE FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE FOR FGCU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL. AND THE OFFICIAL START OF A NEW ERA FOR THE PROGRAM. FOR THE 3RD TIME IN 320 DAYS, THE FGCU WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM HAS A NEW LEADER IN CHARGE >> ITS NET. >> WARMER IOWA ASSISTANT COACH REENA HARMON WAS NAMED THE EAGLES HEAD COACH IN APRIL. WITH IT CAME PLENTY OF CHANGE. 7 NEW PLAYERS ON THE ROSTER, A COMPLETELY REVAMPED STAFF AND A FRESH NEW MINDSET DURING THE RECRUITING PROCESS. THEY ALL HAD AN IDEA OF WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAM THAT THEY WERE COMING TO AND THEY EMBRACE THAT RIGHT. THEY WANTED TO GO TO A PLACE WHERE THEY WERE GOING TO WIN. >> FEEL VALUED. FEEL LOVE. HAVE A GREAT TIME, YOU KNOW, AND COMPETE FOR A LONG SEASON, RIGHT? WE’RE LOOKING TO MAKE A PLAYOFF PUSH TO. THESE ARE STILL THE EIGHT-TIME DEFENDING A SON CHAMPS. THEY HAVEN’T EVEN LOST A CONFERENCE GAME SINCE JANUARY OF 2023. AND AMONGST ALL THE TURNOVER, THAT’S SOMETHING THEY DON’T PLAN ON CHANGING. WE HAVE THE SAME GOALS EVERY WE WANT TO WIN A THAT’S OUR MAIN GOAL. GETTING ANOTHER RING. >> THEN WE WANT TO KEEP HAVING COMPETITION AND MUCH MATTERS AND WANT TO KEEP GOING UNTIL ABOUT THAT. >> YOU KNOW, JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO NOVEMBER OUR GAME AND THEN AND WITH MY TEAMMATES, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A REALLY FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE. AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO WHEN WE HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL SEASON IN JUST 40 DAYS WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO SEE RAIN AND HER TEAM IN ACTION AS THEY TIP OFF THE 2025. 2026 SEASON
FGCU women’s basketball hosts first official practice under new head coach Raina Harmon
Updated: 5:52 PM EDT Sep 29, 2025
Monday was the first day of practice for FGCU women’s basketball and the official start of a new era for the program.For the third time in 320 days, the Eagles have a new leader in charge.Former Iowa assistant coach Raina Harmon was named the Eagles’ head coach in April, and with it came plenty of change. There are seven new players on the roster, a completely revamped staff and a fresh, new mindset.Harmon said, “During the recruiting process, they all had an idea of what type of program that they were coming to, and they embraced that. They wanted to go to a place that they were going to win, feel valued, feel loved, have a great time and compete for a long season. We’re looking to make a good playoff push, too.”These are still the eight-time defending ASUN champs.They have not even lost a conference game since January 2023, and among all the turnover, that is something that they do not plan on changing.FGCU women’s basketball player Cerina Rolle said, “We have the same goals. Every time we want to win ASUN, that’s our main goal, getting another ring. And then, we want to keep having competition in March Madness, and we want to keep going until the ball stops.”FGCU women’s basketball player Jordan Campbell said, “I’m just looking forward to November, our first game, being with my teammates. This is a really fun group of people, and I’m looking forward to winning and having a really successful season.”In just 40 days, we will have the chance to see Harmon and her team in action as they tip off the 2025-2026 season at home against Davidson College.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
FORT MYERS, Fla. —
Monday was the first day of practice for FGCU women’s basketball and the official start of a new era for the program.
For the third time in 320 days, the Eagles have a new leader in charge.
Former Iowa assistant coach Raina Harmon was named the Eagles’ head coach in April, and with it came plenty of change.
There are seven new players on the roster, a completely revamped staff and a fresh, new mindset.
Harmon said, “During the recruiting process, they all had an idea of what type of program that they were coming to, and they embraced that. They wanted to go to a place that they were going to win, feel valued, feel loved, have a great time and compete for a long season. We’re looking to make a good playoff push, too.”
These are still the eight-time defending ASUN champs.
They have not even lost a conference game since January 2023, and among all the turnover, that is something that they do not plan on changing.
FGCU women’s basketball player Cerina Rolle said, “We have the same goals. Every time we want to win ASUN, that’s our main goal, getting another ring. And then, we want to keep having competition in March Madness, and we want to keep going until the ball stops.”
FGCU women’s basketball player Jordan Campbell said, “I’m just looking forward to November, our first game, being with my teammates. This is a really fun group of people, and I’m looking forward to winning and having a really successful season.”
In just 40 days, we will have the chance to see Harmon and her team in action as they tip off the 2025-2026 season at home against Davidson College.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.