Mike Neighbors Resigns as Arkansas Women’s Basketball Head Coach After Eight Seasons

In a surprising move, Mike Neighbors has stepped down as the head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks women’s basketball team. The longtime leader of the program announced his resignation on Tuesday, ending an eight-year tenure that saw both highs and challenges. The decision comes after Arkansas completed its 2024-25 season, closing a chapter in Neighbors’ coaching career that began in 2017​

A Legacy of Dedication and Growth

Neighbors, a Greenwood, Arkansas native, took over as head coach of the Razorbacks in 2017, fulfilling a lifelong dream of leading his home-state team. Under his leadership, Arkansas saw notable improvements in its competitiveness within the Southeastern Conference (SEC). During his tenure, the Razorbacks posted a 148-114 overall record, making two NCAA Tournament appearances and earning two Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) berths​

Before his time in Fayetteville, Neighbors was the head coach at the University of Washington, where he helped lead the Huskies to a Final Four appearance in 2016. His career record stands at 246-155, reflecting his ability to build competitive teams at the highest levels of college basketball​

An Emotional Farewell

Announcing his resignation, Neighbors expressed deep appreciation for his time at Arkansas. “As I shared in my introductory press conference on April 4, 2017, the opportunity to coach the Hogs fulfilled a lifelong dream,” Neighbors said in a statement. “I also acknowledged that there would be a time when that dream would end, and until then, I pledged to do my best to make my family, my team, and my home state of Arkansas proud”​

Razorbacks Athletic Director Hunter Yurachek praised Neighbors for his dedication to the program and the impact he made on student-athletes. “There is no questioning his love and passion for this university and this state. During his tenure, we enjoyed numerous memorable wins and watched some of the best players in the history of our program,” Yurachek said​

Under Neighbors’ leadership, Arkansas had several standout seasons, including a 20-8 record in the 2020-21 season, which led to an NCAA Tournament appearance. That year, the Razorbacks defeated No. 3 UConn, marking one of the most significant wins in program history​

What’s Next for Arkansas?

With Neighbors stepping down, the search for a new head coach will begin immediately. Arkansas will look for a candidate who can build on Neighbors’ foundation and help the program reach new heights in the highly competitive SEC.

Potential candidates could include current assistant coaches or rising names in women’s college basketball. The university is expected to make a swift decision to ensure stability for the team and its recruiting efforts.

A Lasting Impact

Although his time as Arkansas’ head coach has come to an end, Neighbors leaves behind a legacy of development, passion, and dedication. His influence on the program extended beyond wins and losses—he played a pivotal role in developing young athletes and fostering a culture of competitiveness and resilience.

As the Razorbacks move forward, the next coach will inherit a program with a strong foundation, thanks to Neighbors’ efforts. While it remains to be seen what’s next for Neighbors personally, his impact on Arkansas women’s basketball will not be forgotten.

With the coaching search now underway, Razorbacks fans will be eagerly awaiting news on Neighbors’ successor. The coming weeks will be crucial for the future of the program, as Arkansas looks to continue its growth and competitiveness in the SEC.