Updated: Feb. 24, 2025, at 2:41 p.m.

Women’s basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs stepped down from leading the program two weeks before the team begins Atlantic 10 Championship play, Director of Athletics Michael Lipitz announced on Monday. 

Assistant Coach Doug Novak will serve as the team’s interim head coach for the remainder of the 2024-25 season, according to the release. McCombs joined GW before the 2021-22 season – which at the time had not seen a winning season in three years — compiling an overall record of 55-65 and a 23-42 record in A-10 play in her four years coaching the Revolutionaries.

The Revs hold an 11-16 overall record this season, including a 4-12 mark in A-10 play. Their performance also includes an eight-game losing streak during conference play. In three tournament births, her Revs went 2-3, finishing as high as 7th place in the 2022-23 season. 

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have led the GW program the last four years,” McCombs said in the release. “As I have poured an enormous amount of love, time and energy into this program and student-athletes, after much thought, it is important to do the same for myself and my family at this time. I wish GW nothing but success moving forward.”

GW Athletics declined to comment on why she stepped down from the position and when the decision was made. The University will immediately launch a national search for its next head coach, the release states. 

McCombs and men’s basketball Head Coach Chris Caputo both extended their contracts in November 2023, but officials did not release the terms for their contracts.

“We thank Caroline for her leadership over the past four seasons,” Lipitz said in the release. “She invested in her student-athletes and represented the program and university with integrity. We wish her every future success.”