The only thing constant in life is change. In today’s day and age, roster changes are inevitable, but for Becky Burke and the Wildcats, the staff is also going to have some new looks heading into Year 2 in Tucson. On Friday, Arizona Women’s Basketball general manager Michelle Marciniak announced via social media she is stepping down from her role to take care of her mother, who is battling Alzheimer’s.
“My Mom has always been there for me and it’s time to go home,” wrote Marciniak in a post made on Facebook.
“I’m incredibly grateful for my time at the University of Arizona. I want to sincerely thank Athletics Director Desiree Reed-Francois and her entire leadership team for their trust, support, and exemplary leadership. It was an honor to work alongside such dedicated colleagues who care deeply about student-athletes and the future of Arizona Athletics.”
“I’m also thankful to Coach Becky Burke for trusting me with a role that is still evolving in collegiate athletics. Building together with her, the staff, and our players has been a truly special experience and I’m proud to be a part of laying the foundation for the new era of Arizona WBB.”
Marciniak was the first general manager in program history, tasked with leading the Wildcats’ global recruiting strategy, as well as supporting NIL and brand-building efforts, and overseeing program operations, roster management, and strategic planning.
While Marciniak is the first public announcement, Burke will be on the hunt for more than just one open position on the staff heading into the 2026-27 season. On Thursday, March 5, three assistant coach positions were posted on UA Talent, the University of Arizona’s job portal. Despite the three open positions, a spokesperson from the university tells us its is unclear whether Burke will replace Marciniak with another general manager, hire an additional assistant coach, or redesign the roles on the staff.
“Michelle shared with us that she’ll be stepping away to prioritize her family and care for her mother, who is battling Alzheimer’s disease. Coach Burke and everyone in the department fully support her decision.
As she moves into her second year, Coach Burke will continue evaluating all areas of the program as a whole. She built a strong foundation in her first season, and this process is really about building on that progress and positioning the program for continued success.
The three job postings you may have seen are about giving her flexibility as she works through that process.”