Cavs assistant Gottlieb leaves to coach USC women

Cleveland Cavaliers assistant coach Lindsay Gottlieb has been hired as head coach of the USC women's team, the school announced.

Gottlieb, who was aggressively recruited to leave her current post, will have a six-year deal, sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

"After an incredible experience in the NBA, Lindsay is taking leadership of our program at a time when she has become her very best as a coach and teacher, and we have the utmost confidence in her ability to lead the Women of Troy back to national prominence," Trojans athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement.

Gottlieb was hired to then-Cavs coach John Beilein's staff in 2019 after taking Cal to seven NCAA Tournament appearances as head coach from 2011-19. After Beilein stepped down midway through last season, Gottlieb continued in her role under J.B. Bickerstaff, earning a promotion to the front bench.

The once-mighty Women of Troy have fallen on tough times of late, making just one NCAA Tournament appearance in the past 15 years: a first-round exit in 2014.

The team went 11-12 under Mark Trakh in 2020-21, after which he closed his second stint as USC bench boss by announcing his retirement.