Nicki Collen
Baylor Women's Basketball Head Coach
Nicki Collen was introduced as the fifth head coach in Baylor women’s basketball history on May 5, 2021, and later received a contract extension through 2030. She enters her sixth season at the helm in 2026-27.
Under Collen’s leadership, the Bears have continued their second-longest active national streaks of 20-win seasons, now at 26 consecutive years, and NCAA Tournament appearances, now at 22 straight seasons with first-round wins in each. Baylor also earned its 22nd consecutive AP preseason ranking ahead of the 2025-26 season and maintained a streak of 26 consecutive weeks in the AP poll while totaling 367 weeks ranked over the last 20 seasons, the second-most nationally.
Baylor leads Big 12 member institutions in wins since Collen took control of the program in 2021, totaling 127 victories over five seasons, more than 10 ahead of the next-winningest program.
Collen has coached four All-Americans with 10 total recognitions: NaLyssa Smith (2022 WBCA First Team, 2022 Senior CLASS First Team, 2022 John Wooden First Team, 2022 USBWA First Team, 2022 The Athletic First Team, 2022 Sports Illustrated First Team), Sarah Andrews (2023 WBCA honorable mention), Darianna Littlepage-Buggs (2025 WBCA honorable mention, 2026 WBCA honorable mention) and Taliah Scott (2026 WBCA honorable mention).
Five All-Big 12 First Team selections have played under Collen: Jordan Lewis, NaLyssa Smith, Sarah Andrews, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs and Taliah Scott. Those honors are joined by 15 additional second-team or honorable mention selections voted on by Big 12 coaches. Four players have also received Big 12 individual awards as NaLyssa Smith was named 2022 Player of the Year, Darianna Littlepage-Buggs was the 2023 Freshman of the Year, Jordan Lewis was the 2023 Newcomer of the Year and Yaya Felder earned 2025 Sixth Player of the Year honors.
Baylor remains one of nine programs nationally with double-digit first-round selections in the WNBA Draft with 11. The Bears have posted a Big 12-leading 26 all-time WNBA Draft picks, including five over the last five seasons.
Collen arrived at Baylor after spending three seasons as head coach of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream. In her rookie season in 2018, she led Atlanta to a 23-11 record, earned WNBA Coach of the Year honors and guided the franchise to the playoff semifinals.
