Former Head Coach Prioritizes Legacy Over Limelight in Bold Move
In a stunning but heartfelt move, Florida State women’s basketball legend Sue Semrau has declined a high-profile offer from ESPN to join its national broadcasting team—choosing instead to give back to the program and the profession she helped shape.
Semrau, who retired in 2022 after 24 seasons as head coach of the FSU women’s basketball program, announced this week that she will donate $500,000 to launch the Seminole Women in Coaching Fund, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to support the development, mentorship, and placement of women in coaching roles across collegiate athletics.
The fund will operate in partnership with Florida State University’s athletics department and will offer fellowships, mentoring programs, and financial assistance to aspiring female coaches—particularly former athletes who wish to remain in the game.
“I had a lot of time to reflect after I retired,” Semrau said in a statement released Tuesday. “When ESPN called, I was honored. But I realized what I really wanted to do was create something lasting—something that would open doors for women the same way doors were opened for me.”
The ESPN offer, reportedly for a multi-year studio and game analyst role covering women’s college basketball and the WNBA, would have placed Semrau on a national stage. But the former coach says her decision was rooted in something deeper than visibility.
“This wasn’t about TV. It was about purpose,” she added. “I’ve always believed that coaching isn’t just about the X’s and O’s—it’s about lifting people up. Now, I want to help lift up the next generation of women who will lead from the sidelines.”
Semrau is one of the most beloved figures in FSU athletics history, having led the Seminoles to 16 NCAA Tournament appearances, three Elite Eight berths, and over 450 career wins. She was named the 2015 AP National Coach of the Year and helped transform the program into a national contender.
FSU Athletic Director Michael Alford praised the donation, calling it “a transformational gift from a transformational leader.”
“This is who Sue Semrau is—selfless, visionary, and eternally Seminole,” Alford said.
The Seminole Women in Coaching Fund will begin accepting applications for its first fellowship class in Spring 2026.
As always, Sue Semrau proves that while the spotlight is tempting, it’s the legacy you leave behind that truly matters.
