Official Release - April 15, 2026
ORLANDO - Now over a week removed from being announced the 14th head coach in UCF women’s basketball program history, Gabe Lazo has added another assistant coach to the first-year staff, as Orlando native Sydnei McCaskill will return home and help begin a new era for the Knight.
McCaskill, who was a four-year starter at Dr. Phillips High School and ranked among the top-100 prospects in the class of 2013, has served as an assistant coach at her alma mater, FGCU, since April 2025.
"Sydnei knows Orlando and the Sunshine Sate well, having played high school and college basketball here before recruiting out of the state for over five years now," said Lazo. "She’s continued growing as a recruiter and developer of talent, and she’ll bring the energy and enthusiasm that we need to build this program to new heights."
A veteran of the Atlantic Sun over past three seasons, with a two-year stint at North Florida preceding her time back in Fort Myers, McCaskill has built an impressive resume both recruiting and developing talent at the highest level.
During the 2025-26 season under first-year head coach Raina Harmon, McCaskill aided in forming the Eagles into a top-50 defense nationally, surrendering just 59.1 points per game en route to a trip to the WNIT.
Throughout a pair of seasons at North Florida, McCaskill’s player development skills shined, molding Alexa Washington into an ASUN All-Freshman honoree after breaking the program record with 10 three-pointers in a single game.
"I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Lazo and the staff," said McCaskill. "Being able to return to the city where I grew up makes this moment even more special. I’m fired up about the vision and direction he has for the program and can’t wait to be part of it. Go Knights!"
Her first assistant coach role came during the 2022-23 season at Marshall where she helped the Thundering Herd to an impressive 17-14 record and a 9-9 mark in conference play.
McCaskill, who started her collegiate career at Georgia from 2013-15 before transferring to FGCU for her final two seasons, began her coaching career with the Eagles from 2019-22, serving as the video coordinator and director of operations under Karl Smesko. Throughout that stretch, the Eagles claimed four ASUN championships and three NCAA tournament appearances.
As a player, McCaskill was a consistent feature in a golden era for the program, helping the Eagles become WNIT runner-ups in 2015-16 before making the NCAA tournament the next season. She played in a combined 46 games across her two seasons at FGCU.
MCCASKILL'S COACHING TIMELINE
|
YEARS |
SCHOOL |
ROLE |
SEASONS |
|
2019-22 |
FGCU |
Video Coordinator/Director of Operations |
Three |
|
2022-23 |
Marshall |
Assistant Coach |
One |
|
2023-25 |
North Florida |
Assistant Coach/Recruiting Coordinator |
Two |
|
2025-26 |
FGCU |
Assistant Coach |
One |
|
2026-Pres. |
UCF |
Assistant Coach |
First |