Jose Luis Fernandez (born November 18, 1971)[1] is the head coach of the University of South Florida women's basketball team, starting in 2000.

During their tournament run, the Bulls defeated Wichita State, 48–44, Tulane, 51–47, and rival UCF, 64–54, the same Knights team that USF beat, 65–52, to win the regular-season crown on March 2 in the Yuengling Center.

2022–23 (NCAA Tournament) In 2022–23 South Florida posted a 27–7 overall record and held a 15–1 mark in conference action, which earned the squad the regular season title.

The 2022–23 campaign was concluded on a high note, as the program made its ninth appearance in the NCAA Tournament, marking its eighth trip to the Big Dance in the last 11 years.

17/19 Arkansas in the San Diego Invitational, and a 67-65, comeback overtime triumph against ninth-seeded Marquette in the first round of March Madness.

Elena Tsineke and Dulcy Fankam Mendjiadeu, the best players in The American all season, were recognized for just that as both were named Co-Players of the Year and were unanimous picks for First Team All-Conference.

The Bulls won five straight games to close out the AAC regular season, including a smashing 71-38 romp against Houston on a night in which the 50th anniversary of USF women’s basketball was celebrated.

After winning the AAC regular-season title, USF had an impressive showing when the league announced its postseason award winners.

Bethy Mununga and Elena Tsineke were named to the All-AAC first team, Pinzan was a second-team selection and Sydni Harvey earned third-team honors.

USF posted marquee non-conference wins against Ohio State (71-47 on the road), Oklahoma (87-70), UCLA (60-56), and George Washington (63-60), en route to a 9-2 start.

The Bulls were led by seniors Laia Flores and Jespersen, who earned AP honorable-mention All-America honors, and junior guard Kitija Laksa.

On January 17, 2017, Fernandez, the all-time winningest coach in USF basketball history, reached his 300th career win in front of a home crowd at the Yuengling Center.

Fernandez coached the program’s first WBCA All-American (Williams), and the third-highest drafted Bull in USF Athletics history.

The Bulls made history with two Top 25 rankings in the AP Poll en route to the program’s best record (27-8).

The Bulls defeated the Texas Tech Red Raiders 71-70 for their first NCAA Tournament victory, then lost to eventual Final Four team California in overtime, after a thrilling second-half comeback.

Fernandez was the only coach to play all Final Four teams in 2012-13, defeating Louisville, losing to Notre Dame and California in overtime, and facing UConn in the regular season.

Fernandez guided USF to 19 wins despite having no true home games as the Sun Dome underwent renovations.

After the season concluded, USF broke ground on its state-of-the-art practice facility, the Pam and Les Muma Basketball Center.

After defeating Florida Gulf Coast in overtime and Southeastern Conference foe Ole Miss at home, USF embarked on a three-game, 10-day road odyssey that began in western New York with an 80-66 win at St. Bonaventure, then an 82-65 victory at Boston College.

The Bulls headed to the nation’s heartland where they handed Kansas a 75-71 loss in the WNIT finals in front of a record crowd of 16,113 at historic Allen Fieldhouse.

The Bulls’ 33rd ranked class included freshmen Jessica Dickson, Nalini Miller and Rachael Sheats, along with junior college transfer Anedra Gilmore.

In that seven-game stretch, the Bulls defeated in-state rival and then BIG EAST Conference member Miami before falling to Florida for their first loss of the year.

2000–01 Fernandez was named head coach of the Bulls on Nov. 14, 2000, and began laying the foundation for what would be the success of the current USF women’s basketball program.

He stayed at Miami-Dade for one season (1991-92) before becoming the assistant boys’ basketball coach at Miami’s Sunset High School (1992-94).

Fernandez came along as Odio’s top assistant and immediately established himself as a coach who had a sharp eye for talent and potential.

During his two-year stay at Barry, Fernandez helped the Buccaneers to consecutive winning seasons, after the program only produced two in the first 10 years, and a combined 34-21 record.

During his three seasons at Lourdes, Fernandez led the Bobcats to a 83-16 (.838) record and a trip to the state Class 5A championship game in 1998 where they finished as the runner-up.

Fernandez broke into collegiate women’s basketball when he returned to Barry for his second of two tours of duty at the school.

After graduating from Miami-Dade Kendall, Fernandez earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1994 from Florida International University.

Fernandez and his wife, Tonya, live in Tampa with their daughters, Sydnie, Alex, Taylor, Brianna, Brooke, and their seven foster dogs.