Experience
2000 – Present: Head Coach, University of South Florida
2000: Assistant Coach, University of South Florida
1999 – 2000: Assistant Coach, Barry University
1996 – 1999: Head Coach, Lourdes Academy (FL)
1994 – 1996: Assistant Coach, Barry University (m)
1992 – 1994: Assistant Coach, Miami Sunset Senior High School (FL) (b)
1991 – 1992: Assistant Coach, Miami-Dade Community College (m)
Education
1994: Florida International University, Bachelors, Physical Education
Personal
Hometown: Miami, FL
Family: Tonya (Wife) & Alex, Brianna, Brooke, Sydnie, Taylor (Children)
Career Highlights
Career Division I Record
443-292 (.603)
20+ Win Seasons (11)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2008-09, 2006-07, 2004-05
Winning Seasons (18)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20, 2018-19, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14, 2012-13, 2011-12, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2006-07, 2005-06, 2004-05, 2001-02
Power Five Wins (27)
ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12, SEC
*since 2013-14
Conference Coach of the Year (2)
2020-21, 2017-18 AAC
Conference Regular Season Championships (2)
2022-23, 2020-21 AAC
Conference Tournament Championships (1)
2020-21 AAC
NCAA Tournament Berths (9)
2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15, 2012-13, 2005-06
WNIT Berths (9)
2018-19, 2013-14, 2011-12, 2009-10, 2008-09, 2007-08, 2006-07, 2004-05, 2003-04
Final Top 25 Poll Rankings (4)
2020-21, 2017-18, 2015-16, 2014-15
2020-21 and 2017-18 American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year, as well as a finalist for 2020-21 National Coach of the Year
The all-time winningest coach in South Florida program history with a 443-292 (.603) record, including 11 21+ win seasons and 18 post-season berths (nine NCAA Tournaments & the 2008-09 WNIT Championship)
Over the previous nine seasons (2014 to 2023), has guided USF to a 209-84 (.713) overall and 109-36 (.751) AAC record, two AAC Regular Season Championships, one AAC Tournament Championship, and seven NCAA Tournament berths (wins in four different NCAA Tournaments)
In 2020-21, led USF to the first conference regular season and tournament championships (AAC) in program history
USF’s scoring offense finished ranked 1st in the AAC in 2022-23,
USF’s scoring defense finished nationally ranked 12th in 2021-22, 16th in 2020-21, and 15th in 2018-19, as well as 1st in the AAC in 2022-23
Has signed six recruiting classes to USF that ranked in the top-50 nationally
As USF’s Head Coach, has recruited and coached 50 all-conference team selections, as well as two Scholar-Athletes of the Year, two Players of the Year, five Freshman/Newcomers of the Year, three Most Improved Players of the Year, two Sixth Players of the Year, and five WNBA draft picks
Has served as the President of Head Coaches for both the AAC and Big East conferences, as well as the WBCA Vice President (present)
News & Media
10/16/23 – South Florida Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jose Fernandez Signs Contract Extension
1/30/23 – Family Values, Early Coaching Lessons Greatly Influenced USF Women’s Basketball Coach Jose Fernandez (Forbes)
1/3/22 – Kelly Fortifies Bulls’ Head Coaching Roster for Foreseeable Future
3/17/21 – Having Built a Home at USF, Jose Fernandez Not Pulling Up Stakes (Tampa Bay Times)
Head Coach Record
Season | School | Overall | Conference | Championships | Post-Season |
2000-01 | USF | 4-24 | 1-15 | ||
2001-02 | USF | 14-13 | 4-10 | ||
2002-03 | USF | 7-20 | 2-12 | ||
2003-04 | USF | 14-15 | 7-7 | WNIT (1st Round) | |
2004-05 | USF | 21-11 | 9-5 | WNIT (2nd Round) | |
2005-06 | USF | 19-12 | 9-7 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2006-07 | USF | 21-12 | 9-7 | WNIT (2nd Round) | |
2007-08 | USF | 16-16 | 5-11 | WNIT (1st Round) | |
2008-09 | USF | 27-10 | 8-8 | WNIT Champions | |
2009-10 | USF | 15-16 | 6-10 | WNIT (1st Round) | |
2010-11 | USF | 12-19 | 3-13 | ||
2011-12 | USF | 19-16 | 8-8 | WNIT (3rd Round) | |
2012-13 | USF | 22-11 | 9-7 | NCAA (2nd Round) | |
2013-14 | USF | 23-13 | 13-5 | WNIT (Semifinals) | |
2014-15 | USF | 27-8 | 15-3 | NCAA (2nd Round) | |
2015-16 | USF | 24-10 | 14-4 | NCAA (2nd Round) | |
2016-17 | USF | 24-9 | 11-5 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2017-18 | USF | 26-8 | 13-3 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2018-19 | USF | 19-16 | 7-9 | WNIT (1st Round) | |
2019-20 | USF | 19-13 | 10-6 | (COVID) | |
2020-21 | USF | 19-4 | 12-2 | AAC RS & T | NCAA (2nd Round) |
2021-22 | USF | 24-9 | 12-3 | NCAA (1st Round) | |
2022-23 | USF | 27-7 | 15-1 | AAC RS | NCAA (2nd Round) |
2023-24 | USF | ||||
Career | 443-292 (.603) | 202-171 (.541) |