Michigan Has a New All-Time Winningest Basketball Coach

Kim Barnes Arico just cemented her place in Michigan basketball history. With a 70-67 win over Indiana, the Wolverines’ head coach secured her 279th victory, passing John Beilein to become Michigan’s all-time winningest basketball coach.

Senior Jordan Hobbs took center stage, dropping a career-high 24 points and delivering when it mattered most. Freshman Syla Swords, who went scoreless in the first half, flipped the script in the second, scoring 15 points and hitting a clutch layup in the final minute to put Michigan ahead. Olivia Olson added 13, proving once again that the Wolverines’ young core is built for the moment.

After the game, Barnes Arico reflected on the milestone, sharing advice she once got from Beilein himself.

"If there was one thing that I could have done differently, if there’s one thing that I could have changed, it would be to enjoy these moments,”" he told her.

That message hit home. In a sport where the focus is always on the next game, the next challenge, the next step forward, Barnes Arico is taking a moment to appreciate just how far she’s come.

Since taking over in 2012, she’s turned Michigan women’s basketball into a powerhouse. Seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances. An Elite Eight run in 2022. A WNIT Championship in 2017. Eleven 20-win seasons. And a growing list of WNBA talent, including Naz Hillmon and Leigha Brown.

Now, she’s building the next generation of stars.

The Wolverines’ incoming freshman class is stacked, and the early returns are already paying off. Swords and Olson have been leading the team in scoring, showing a level of poise and confidence well beyond their years. Point guard Mila Holloway and forward Te’Yana Delfosse have also stepped up, giving Michigan a young core that can make noise for years to come.