Head coach Charmin Smith enters her fifth season leading the Golden Bears. She has been on the bench for Cal for most of the past 15 seasons, coaching in various capacities.
Smith was part of a coaching team that saw the Bears regularly get in postseason play since she began as an assistant coach in 2007. Since 2019-20, however, Cal has struggled to be relevant in the Pac-12. They have regularly occupied the cellar in conference play. Last season, Cal (13-17, 4-14 Pac-12) managed to stay out of the bottom of the Pac-12, tying for 10th place with Oregon State.