Bio

Central Connecticut State announced Kristin Caruso has been named the seventh head coach of the CCSU women’s basketball team.

“I am pleased to welcome Kristin Caruso into the Central family as the next head coach of our women’s basketball team.  Coach Caruso has a basketball pedigree that many admire.  She is dedicated to her student athletes in a way that exudes passion for the sport and compassion for their commitment to the team and game,” said Central Connecticut State University President Zulma R. Toro.

Caruso led the Blue Devils to a 9-6 mark during her time as acting coach during the 2024-25 season. That resulted in a third-place finish in the NEC standings, the most wins in a season since 2016-17 and a home NEC Tournament game for the first time since 2015. Belle Lanpher was named the NEC Player of the Year, the first Blue Devil to do so in program history.

“We are excited to welcome Kristin as our next head women’s basketball coach,” said Tom Pincince, Director of Athletics. “Her background, including her playing and coaching experience, make her a logical fit to lead our women’s basketball program.  We appreciate her efforts during the past season, and we look forward to watching our program grow and compete under her leadership.”  

The head coaching position will be the third for Caruso, who was named the head coach at Marist for the 1998-99 season. She spent four seasons at the helm of the Red Foxes, in the program’s early seasons as a member of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. She initially joined Marist as the program’s recruiting coordinator in 1997-98 and position she held while she served as an assistant coach at Duquesne University from 1993-96.

Caruso’s second head coaching stop was at Longwood, where she was at the helm from 2007-2010 when the Lancers were playing as a Division I Independent. Prior to Longwood she was the associate head coach at the University of Hartford (2002-07), helping the Hawks to back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2006, the Hawks defeated Temple in the NCAA First Round.

“I would like to thank Dr. Toro, Sal Cintorino and Tom for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program,” said Caruso. “I am excited for the challenge that lays in front of us, but am confidant that our student-athletes, coaches, staff and University are committed to the success of our Blue Devils!”

Caruso, a graduate of the University of Connecticut, played for the Huskies from 1986-1990, including the program’s first NCAA Final Four appearance. She appeared in 110 games during her career, scoring 1,244 points (11.3 ppg) and 564 rebounds (5.1 rpg). Caruso began her coaching career at her alma mater, under Basketball Hall of Famer Geno Auriemma, from 1990-93.

The 2025-26 campaign will be the 40^th Division I season for the CCSU women’s basketball program and 55^th overall, dating back to the inaugural 1971-72 campaign. The Blue Devils have two WNIT appearances and earned a share of the Northeast Conference regular season title in 2014-15.