Former Kentucky WBB head coach Kyra Elzy pens letter to Big Blue Nation

It was a little over a week ago now that Kyra Elzy was relieved of her duties as the head coach of Kentucky women’s basketball. In four seasons with the Wildcats, Elzy posted a record of 61-60 overall, including a 23-40 mark against SEC competition.

Elzy’s crowning achievement as the lead woman was Kentucky’s 2022 SEC Tournament championship victory over eventual national champion South Carolina — the program’s first in 40 years. Unfortunately, back-to-back losing seasons in 2022-23 and 2023-24 with bottom-three finishes in the SEC ultimately led to her dismissal.

On Tuesday morning, Elzy penned a letter to the Big Blue Nation, thanking everyone involved for their support during her tenure as head coach.

As I embark on a new chapter in my life, I would be remiss not to reflect upon and be thankful for my journey. As I’ve had time to reflect, I know beyond a shadow of doubt that Kentucky was the stop that helped me grow as a woman and as a coach. Through the triumphs and defeats, I gave Kentucky all of me! I’ll forever be grateful for the opportunity to be the head coach at UK. I’m a proud Kentucky girl through and through, and this place and all of the people and players will always hold a special place in my heart.

Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, to all the players (past and present), coaches, support staff and everyone who poured into the program. At the end of the day, I understand that winning is the name of the game in his business. I will win again, that’s the competitior in me. I’m also a woman of faith. I know God always has a plan. For only He can open and close doors. I will continue to walk in God’s purpose. I’m built to last. Thank you Big Blue Nation for your love and support for this Kentucky girl. This chapter of my life is closing but a new one awaits.

Kyra Elzy

Left foot. Right foot. Breathe. Repeat.
-Coach Summitt pic.twitter.com/K9Mc5j6FYS

— Kyra Elzy (@UKCoachLZ) March 19, 2024

It’s likely that Elzy will land a new job (whether as a head coach or assistant) in the near future. She has over two decades’ worth of coaching experience at the Division I level. She was thrust into a tough position after previous head coach Matthew Mitchell retired just weeks before the 2020-21 season, giving Elzy little time to prepare herself to take over as the one in charge.

But after how the last two seasons played out, it was time for both sides to move on.

Since Elzy’s departure, Kentucky has seen four Wildcats publicly enter their names into the transfer portal, including the team’s two leading scorers from 2023-24: Ajae Petty and Maddie Scherr. Sophomore Zennia Thomas and freshman Janae Walker also entered the portal.