UCF Athletics welcomes Lazo with open arms

Photo Courtesy UCF Athletics

Instruments from the Marching Knights blared the UCF Fight Song as the Black and Gold ushered in a new era of its women’s basketball program on Thursday afternoon at Addition Financial Arena.

UCF formally introduced Gabe Lazo as the 14th head coach of the Knights women’s basketball team and referred to him as the first Latino head coach at a Power 4 women’s program.

The newly minted head coach made a promise to show diligence so that other assistant coaches in the profession can have more opportunities, and one for Knights Nation.

“We’re going to compete,” Lazo told reporters in the press conference. “The one thing I promise you is that we will compete at the highest level. We’re going to fight, we’re going to have energy, we’re going to be enthusiastic.”

Lazo’s emotions overcame while expressing gratitude for those who impacted his life and he began to choke up when mentioning his mother, a person he said motivates him to keep fighting.

“I’m a family person and we are going to be a big family,” Lazo said. “It’s not a word that we’re going to say in the huddle; it’s something that we’re going to demonstrate with alumni, students, the community and everybody.”

Lazo’s ability to connect is one of the qualities Terry Mohajir, vice president and director of athletics, said the program was looking for during their search for a new head coach. Mohajir added that during the selection process, one name consistently rose to the top.

“[Lazo’s] helped build programs, develop players and most importantly, he’s built real long-lasting relationships with people from around the country,” Mohajir said in the press conference. “We need to have the right people here to do that…and must see that our women’s basketball program, not just for what it is today, but what it can be. I think under his leadership, we can see that.”

UCF president Alexander Cartwright called Lazo the “right leader for this moment,” saying he embodies the university’s spirit.

“[Lazo] has a proven ability to recruit elite talent, develop players, and build relationships that matter,” Cartwright said at the press conference. “He understands how to compete and how to sustain success. Just as important, he understands what sets UCF apart.”

Lazo said he aims to “re-energize” the program beyond recruitment. With UCF being a Hispanic-serving institution, Lazo wants to engage the community through his Latino roots.

“Something that really attracts me to UCF is the population of Hispanic students,” Lazo said. “I want them all to know this is their home. I think when you open up and build a real connection, people feel like you care and that’s how you bring them in.”

Lazo referred to defense as a skillset, rather than a mindset, when asked about his play style and philosophies, saying they plan to build a “blue-collar team.”

“We’re going to take charges, dive for loose balls, defend and rebound. All things that are controllable, we’re going to do them,” Lazo said.

“I would love to pressure and be aggressive, not trap all over the place,“ Lazo added. “I’m not big on giving people easy looks, but we are going to pressure and get in great shape to play that way defensively. We want to dictate and disrupt, then we want to rebound and run and we’re going to run.”

The first time collegiate head coach acknowledged the long road ahead for him and his staff as they look to build the 2026-2027 season roster.

“We’re going to be extremely busy the next couple of days with recruiting,” Lazo said. “But now with the portal, you can turn your roster around and be as competitive as you possibly can.”