Mike Carey Publicly Petitions to Reclaim Previous Position as WVU WBB Head Coach

As WVU begins its search for the next next head coach of the women’s basketball program, one familiar name is publicly petitioning for the job.

Mike Carey, the Mountaineers former head coach and the departed Dawn Plitzuweit‘s predecessor, confirmed rumors that he is interested in reclaiming his position with the West Virginia women’s basketball team. Carey spoke for the first time about his interest in taking over for the woman who replaced him just a year ago in an interview with WDTV Monday evening.

“I definitely am very interested in the WVU job, naturally,” Carey said to WDTV anchor Ally Osborne when asked directly if he wished to return to coach the Mountaineers. Carey then also hinted at why he is having a change of heart from last year when he retired and vacated the role he held from 2001 until 2022.

"I definitely am very interested in the WVU job, naturally" – former WVU Women's Basketball Winningest Head Coach ('01-'22) Mike Carey @CoachMikeCarey
Carey announced his interest in returning to coaching exclusively on @WDTVSports
Interview link: https://t.co/UaKB62hy0G pic.twitter.com/nrl5sXbo5a

— Ally Osborne (@allysosborne) March 20, 2023

“Under the old administration, it was time for me to leave,” he said. This suggests the school’s previous athletic director Shane Lyons may have been a reason behind the end of his run and why he may now want to return to serve under current athletic director Wren Baker.

"Under the old administration, it was time for me to leave" – former WVU Women's Basketball Winningest Head Coach ('01-'22) Mike Carey @CoachMikeCarey

Carey speaking exclusively about his retirement & return to the game with @WDTVSports

Interview link: https://t.co/uOscDMRA0Z pic.twitter.com/uYDWi4eMcc

— Ally Osborne (@allysosborne) March 20, 2023

Ironically, Carey’s comments came just hours after Baker held a press conference to address any confusion over Plitzuweit’s exit and the search for a new head coach. Baker was actually asked about the thought of Carey being hired again and said he would be willing to speak with him, but it would be more of an information gathering conversion to help the search at this time.

Watch: WVU AD Wren Baker Speaks Candidly About Search for WBB Head Coach

After a year away from the coaching profession, Carey closed the interview by saying “I think I can coach another 7 to 10 years without a doubt” as an assurance that he would be in it for the long haul if brought back to WVU.

"I think I can coach another 7 to 10 years" – former WVU Women's Basketball Winningest Head Coach ('01-'22) Mike Carey @CoachMikeCarey

Carey announced his interest in returning to coaching exclusively on @WDTVSports

Interview link: https://t.co/uOscDMRA0Z pic.twitter.com/8HclUDHION

— Ally Osborne (@allysosborne) March 20, 2023

Carey, who was inducted into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in February, spent 21 seasons as head coach of the Mountaineers, winning 462 games dating back to 2001. Carey, a Clarksburg native, coached West Virginia to 11-NCAA Tournament appearances and two WNIT runner-ups. WVU won the 2014 Big 12 Regular Season Title and the 2017 Big 12 Conference Tournament under Carey as well.