FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno State women’s basketball team was picked to finish 9th in the Mountain West preseason poll.
That goes against everything Ryan McCarthy knows, because all he did was win at Division II University of Alaska-Anchorage. In 13 seasons as the head coach there, he compiled an overall record of 309-67 (.822).
As he enters his 1st season as head coach of Fresno State, he caught up with FOX26 to describe the new style of play he will bring to the women’s basketball program.
McCarthy also brings in 11 newcomers, 9 of them transfers (5 from Alaska-Anchorage).
“We have a lot to prove,” McCarthy said. “No one really has accomplished much at the Division-I level on our team, and this is a really good opportunity for them to do so…. I think that this is the ultimate underdog team this year, and we’re going to work really hard to make sure that’s not the case at the end of the year.”
McCarthy replaces former head coach Jaime White, who stepped down in March after 11 seasons at the helm.
He cited Jerry Tarkanian as one of his major coaching influences during his chat with FOX26, following a 73-49 exhibition win over UC Merced on Sunday.
The 2025-26 season officially tips off on Monday, Nov. 3rd at 5 p.m. against Fresno Pacific at the Save Mart Center.