USC women’s basketball coach Mark Trakh retires

Trakh posted a 65-50 record over the past four seasons (2018-21), his second stint at USC.

 April 21, 2021

LOS ANGELES — USC women’s basketball head coach Mark Trakh, who guided the Women of Troy the past four seasons, announced today (April 21) that he is retiring.  
 
This was Trakh’s second stint as USC’s head coach.  He is the second winningest women’s basketball coach in USC history behind Linda Sharp, with a 155-114 record.  
 
“This is a perfect time for a transition in the Trojan basketball program,” said Trakh.  “I can’t imagine a more optimal time for all of us to embrace a fresh start. I am incredibly thankful to athletic director Mike Bohn, senior woman administrator Joyce Bell Limbrick and the USC Athletics personnel who have kindly provided the opportunity for me to leave USC in such a courteous manner. Their leadership will surely make the next chapter of women’s basketball the greatest one yet.   
 
“I am incredibly proud of my accomplishments on and off the court knowing that the program is in a great place.  I would also like to thank all the wonderful student-athletes that I had the pleasure to coach.  I have no doubt that they will have great success in the future. Fight On.” 

Mark Trakh

USC was 11-12 overall in the recently concluded 2021 season, with four games cancelled due to COVID-19 issues, and placed eighth in the Pac-12 standings at 8-10. 
 
“I want to thank Mark for his steadying leadership during a difficult time,” said USC athletic director Mike Bohn.  “The future of our women’s basketball program is very promising, and we are committed to providing the necessary resources to restore the illustrious tradition of excellence of the Women of Troy.  With our historically strong brand, new and improved facilities, and a talented roster of returners and highly-ranked incoming recruiting class, we are confident we will attract a championship caliber coach.  We will immediately commence a thorough national search for the next leader of our women’s basketball program.” 
 
Trakh posted a 65-50 record over the past four seasons (2018-21), his second stint at USC.  Trakh’s first tenure as USC’s head coach lasted five seasons (2005-09) before he resigned for personal reasons.  In that time, the Women of Troy went 90-64, played in a pair of NCAA Tournaments, always finished inside the top five of the conference and won at least 17 games each season.  
 
In 26 years as a college head coach, including 11 seasons (1994-2004) at Pepperdine and six (2012-17) at New Mexico, he posted a 458-317 mark (.591).  

COURTESY USC ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS