Colorado University Athletics
Colorado’s Head Lacrosse Coach Ann Elliott Whidden’s Contract Extended Through 2029
July 20, 2026 | Lacrosse
BOULDER – In the wake of an historic season, the University of Colorado Boulder has extended the contract of head women's lacrosse coach Ann Elliott Whidden, Director of Athletics Fernando Lovo announced today. The updated agreement keeps Whidden in charge of the Buffaloes through the 2029 season.
The only coach CU lacrosse has ever had, Whidden led the Buffs to a record-setting 2026 campaign that included the program's first Big 12 conference tournament title and a magical run to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight, where Colorado ultimately succumbed to eventual national champion Northwestern on their home field in double overtime. CU finished the dream season with a record of 16-4 (4-1 in conference play), tied for the most wins in program history, and Whidden was named Big 12 Coach of the Year by the conference.
"All of us were captivated by the incredible season our women's lacrosse team enjoyed last year, which was the continuation of the foundation of excellence that Coach Whidden has created at Colorado since she arrived at the program's inception," said Lovo. "I am so proud of how she has led and mentored our student-athletes while creating a national lacrosse power and I'm thrilled that we are able to keep her in Boulder to continue this momentum."
"I want to thank Fernando, AD Emeritus Rick George and SWA Jill Keegan for the incredible opportunity to continue to lead this program," said Whidden. "I could not be more excited about the trajectory of our program, and I look forward to continuing to work hard to meet the high standards our program has set, and Buff Nation expects and deserves.
"Colorado is my home. This program has become an extension of my family and I feel very fortunate to have built so many amazing relationships during my time here. My family and I could not be more excited to be staying home and continuing to build this program."
Whidden was named the university's first-ever women's lacrosse coach in 2012, just two months after the program was officially created and has compiled a record of 146-79 in 13 years at the helm. She has led the Buffaloes to the NCAA tournament four times, including three straight appearances from 2017-19. In 2018, Whidden was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year after leading CU to a conference regular season championship in just the fifth year of the program's existence.
The Buffs have also been excellent in the classroom under Whidden, achieving a GPA of 3.0 or better in each of the last 24 semesters and a mark of 3.2 or better in each of the last 18. Last spring, amidst the team's post-season run, CU lacrosse players had a cumulative GPA of 3.716, the second-highest in the department.
For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
The only coach CU lacrosse has ever had, Whidden led the Buffs to a record-setting 2026 campaign that included the program's first Big 12 conference tournament title and a magical run to the NCAA tournament's Elite Eight, where Colorado ultimately succumbed to eventual national champion Northwestern on their home field in double overtime. CU finished the dream season with a record of 16-4 (4-1 in conference play), tied for the most wins in program history, and Whidden was named Big 12 Coach of the Year by the conference.
"All of us were captivated by the incredible season our women's lacrosse team enjoyed last year, which was the continuation of the foundation of excellence that Coach Whidden has created at Colorado since she arrived at the program's inception," said Lovo. "I am so proud of how she has led and mentored our student-athletes while creating a national lacrosse power and I'm thrilled that we are able to keep her in Boulder to continue this momentum."
"I want to thank Fernando, AD Emeritus Rick George and SWA Jill Keegan for the incredible opportunity to continue to lead this program," said Whidden. "I could not be more excited about the trajectory of our program, and I look forward to continuing to work hard to meet the high standards our program has set, and Buff Nation expects and deserves.
"Colorado is my home. This program has become an extension of my family and I feel very fortunate to have built so many amazing relationships during my time here. My family and I could not be more excited to be staying home and continuing to build this program."
Whidden was named the university's first-ever women's lacrosse coach in 2012, just two months after the program was officially created and has compiled a record of 146-79 in 13 years at the helm. She has led the Buffaloes to the NCAA tournament four times, including three straight appearances from 2017-19. In 2018, Whidden was named Pac-12 Coach of the Year after leading CU to a conference regular season championship in just the fifth year of the program's existence.
The Buffs have also been excellent in the classroom under Whidden, achieving a GPA of 3.0 or better in each of the last 24 semesters and a mark of 3.2 or better in each of the last 18. Last spring, amidst the team's post-season run, CU lacrosse players had a cumulative GPA of 3.716, the second-highest in the department.
For more information on Colorado Lacrosse, please visit cubuffs.com/wlax. Fans of the Buffs can follow @cubuffswlax on Instagram, X, TikTok, and Facebook.
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