Gardner-Bilek and McGrath Earn IBCA Coach of the Year Honors

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago basketball programs continue to rake in the awards after two of the best seasons in school history, as both

Michelle Gardner-Bilek and

Mike McGrath earned IBCA Coach of the Year honors, as released by the Ilinois Basketball Coaches Association earlier this week.

Michelle Gardner-Bilek was named D3hoops.com Region VIII Coach of the Year and IBCA Coach of the Year following one of the best seasons in University of Chicago basketball history, with a 20-8 overall record and a 9-5 mark in UAA play. Gardner-Bilek led the Maroons to the National Quarterfinals for just the second time in program history before falling to UW-Oshkosh in the Sectional Final on Saturday night. The 20-win season is the fourth for the Maroons in the past eight seasons and the eighth 20-win season in program history. In her first two years, Gardner-Bilek has compiled a 35-18 record for a .660 winning percentage, which ranks fourth-best in program history. She was also named a finalist for the WBCA National Coach of the Year, capping off a record-breaking season.

Mike McGrath was named the NABC District VIII Coach of the Year and IBCA Coach of the Year after leading the Maroons to one of the best seasons in University of Chicago basketball history with a 24-5 record overall and an 11-3 record in UAA play. McGrath led UChicago to the National Quarterfinals for just the second time in program history, and their 24 wins finish tied for the second-most wins in program history, tied with the 1997-98 and 2000-01 seasons. UChicago fell to eventual national champions, #5 Mary Washington, 81-73 in the National Quarterfinals in Fort Wayne to end their season.

The Maroons will look to continue their momentum into the upcoming year, as the teams will open their seasons in November. The schedules for the 2026-27 season will be released this summer.