Most Baylor fans know the story of how Scott Drew, in his August 2003 introductory press conference as the University’s men’s basketball head coach, said he came to Baylor “for a chance to win a national championship.” It seemed improbable at the time given the state of the program, regardless of the events during the three months prior to Drew’s hiring.

Collen was named Baylor’s women’s basketball head coach May 5. She succeeds Kim Mulkey, who garnered a 632-104 record with three national titles in 21 seasons at Baylor. Collen has coached women’s basketball since the 2000-01 season, spending the past three seasons as head coach of the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream.

Acrobatics and tumbling ended the season the same way it has every year since 2015 — hoisting the national championship trophy. Every year, that is, except for last year when the season was abruptly halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.