Cur'Tiera (CT) Haywood joined the Iona University women's basketball program as Assistant Coach/Director of Operations in June 2026.
Haywood arrives in New Rochelle after spending two seasons on the coaching staff at her alma mater, Quinnipiac. During her tenure with the Bobcats, she helped guide the program to one of the most successful stretches in recent history, posting 55 wins including a 37-3 record in league play.
In 2025-26, Quinnipiac posted a 27-7 record and a 19-1 mark in MAAC play to earn the program’s sixth MAAC Regular Season Championship. The Bobcats appeared in the league title game for the second consecutive season and the program’s first Women's Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT) victory over George Mason.
In 2024-25, Quinnipiac posted a 28-5 overall record and an 18-2 mark in MAAC play after opening the season with victories in 15 of its first 16 contests. The Bobcats advanced to the MAAC Championship Game and earned the program's first invitation to the WBIT.
Haywood played an integral role in the development of eight All-MAAC performers, including Gal Raviv, who became the first player in MAAC history, men's or women's to earn both Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors in the same season. Karson Martin was named MAAC Sixth Player of the Year in 202-26 and Jackie Grisdale along with Anna Foley were two-time All-MAAC performers during her tenure.
Prior to beginning her coaching career, Haywood concluded her collegiate playing career with a graduate season at Austin Peay University in 2023-24. She started all 33 games for the Governors, averaging 8.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.0 assists per game. Haywood led the team in free-throw percentage (.794) and three-pointers made (38) and eclipsed 1,000 career points on January 25, 2024 against Stetson.
A native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Haywood enjoyed a standout four-year career at Quinnipiac from 2019-23. She earned All-MAAC Third Team honors as a senior after averaging career highs of 10.0 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while starting all 30 contests. Throughout her career, Haywood ranked among the MAAC's top perimeter shooters and earned MAAC All-Rookie Team honors following an impressive freshman campaign.
Haywood graduated from Quinnipiac in 2023 with a bachelor's degree in health science studies before earning a Master of Science in leadership from Austin Peay in 2024.
