Photo by CSOM Sports
CSOM Sports learned on Friday that DePaul Women’s basketball head coach Doug Bruno stepped down as head coach. Bruno will take on a new challenge serving as the Special Assistant to DeWayne Pevvy, VP/Director of Athletics for Women’s basketball effective May 1, 2025.
Bruno was sidelined for the 2024-2025 season to focus on his health due to a health issue; however, he has made several appearances at Wintrust Arena, he has attended practices and was recognized with former WBB alumni during the season.
Doug Bruno played a pivotal role in growing women’s sports through his basketball camp that focused on teaching the game of basketball to young girls throughout the Chicagoland area over the last 4 decades. Doug Bruno is one of the most notable figures in the NCAA and made a significant impact on sports across the country. Bruno racked up many accolades during his illustrious career, while leading the Lady Blue Demons to a 786-405 record that includes 26 NCAA Tournaments and four Sweet 16 appearances. Bruno was also a 3-time WBCA National Coach of the Year finalist, inducted in 2022 Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, and has appeared on the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Ballot for 2025.
DePaul announced that there will be a national search conducted for a new head coach and interim coach Jill M. Pizzotti will get an opportunity to interview for the position. Bruno has been an advocate for Pizzotti and has given her high praise on leading the Blue Demons this season. Pizzotti did a solid job developing the freshmen and sophomores and got the most out of Jorie Allen who became the 4th Blue Demon to earn the BIG EAST Most Improved Player honor averaging 20 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Gino Auriemma, UConn women’s basketball coach said it best, “He [Bruno] is an institution” in terms of Bruno’s dedication to women’s basketball. As DePaul search for a new head coach, we want to thank Doug Bruno for his service and his commitment to DePaul women’s basketball and we wish the legend well as he moves into the next chapter of his career.
Coach Bruno shared a heartfelt note posted on X by DePaul Women’s Basketball:
“I owe my professional athletic life to DePaul University. Starting with Coach Ray Meyer offering me a men’s basketball scholarship out of Quigley South High School in 1968, where I played for a former DePaul Standout, Coach Dick Flaiz, through my DePaul Athletic Department roles as Ticket Manager, Facilities Director, Academic Advisor, Athletic Administrator and Head Women’s Basketball Coach, DePaul University has been my home for 44 years.
All athletic success is the result of three forces COMING TOGETHER and WORKING TOGETHER. First: a talented, hardworking and supportive ADMINISTRATTION: Second: a talented, hardworking and supportive COACHING STAFF. Third, and most important, talented, hardworking PLAYERS. Working and coaching at DePaul, I have been blessed to have had all three, for which I am forever grateful.
I would like to personally thank current DePaul President, Rob Manuel, current DePaul Vice President and Director of Athletics, DeWayne Peevy, and Executive Associate AD, Jill Hollembeak all of whom have ben unrelenting in their total support of DePaul Women’s Basketball. In addition to Rob, DeWayne, and Jill, I would like to thank all of my previous Presidents and Athletic Directors.”