Lindsay Gottlieb took over as the head coach of the USC Trojans in 2021-22, and since then, she has transformed the program into a perennial NCAA tournament contender. Under her leadership, the Trojans have made three consecutive tournament appearances, reaching the Elite Eight in back-to-back seasons. Despite losing their star player, JuJu Watkins, to a freak injury against Mississippi State in the second round (in 2025), USC managed to battle past Kansas State before taking their rightful place in the Elite Eight again. But beyond her success on the court, many wonder: Who is Lindsay Gottlieb? What is her story, and where does she come from?

What is Lindsay Gottlieb’s ethnicity?

Gottlieb was born in Scarsdale, New York, and she is white. She comes from a family deeply rooted in the legal profession. Her father, Stephen Gottlieb, was a New York Supreme Court Justice and a state assemblyman, while her mother, Carol, transitioned from a homemaker to a stockbroker. Sadly, Lindsay lost her mother to cancer during her sophomore year at Brown University (1995-1999).

Growing up in Scarsdale, a wealthy suburb just 25 miles from New York City, Lindsay was the youngest of four siblings. A self-described tomboy, she spent most of her childhood playing sports with the neighborhood boys.

Whether it was basketball, tennis, or late-night lacrosse, Gottlieb was always chasing after a ball. Her parents fully supported her passion, never discouraging her—even when she boldly declared that she wanted to play for the New York Yankees.

Her mother, whom she describes as the “original badass female,” made sure Lindsay knew that no doors were closed to her. That encouragement shaped Gottlieb into the fearless competitor and leader she is today.

What is Lindsay Gottlieb’s nationality? Where was she born?

Gottlieb is American. Born on October 2, 1977, she has built an impressive coaching career, currently leading the USC Trojans in the NCAA. Before that, she was the head coach of the California Golden Bears and later served as an assistant coach for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers, making history as one of the few women to coach in the league.

Her strong-willed nature became evident early on. According to Cleveland magazine, in fourth grade, she noticed that some of her male classmates were carrying announcements for football tryouts. The flyer clearly stated, “Boys only.”

Gottlieb was having none of it.

She knew she was just as coordinated as the boys—if not better—and she refused to be excluded. When she told her parents, they stood firmly by her side, advocating for her right to play. “My parents—my mother specifically—was so aware of not making me feel that there were things I couldn’t do,” Gottlieb said.

Her oldest sister, Chris Gottlieb, a professor at the New York University School of Law, believes their parents were intentional about instilling confidence in their daughters.

“I think girls often get the message that they should be insecure, and our society breeds that insecurity in young women,” Chris said.

For Lindsay, sports became a vehicle for confidence. She played quarterback for Scarsdale’s middle school football team for three years before shifting her focus to basketball in seventh grade. She had a sharp shooting stroke, but what set her apart was her analytical mind. She had an uncanny ability to break down the game, recognizing patterns and predicting plays before they happened.

Her deep understanding of basketball became apparent in high school when she played against future WNBA star Chamique Holdsclaw. Her best friend and teammate, Hilary Heieck, recalled how Gottlieb essentially took over coaching duties from the sidelines.

“Lindsay noticed that I was playing well, so she kept calling the plays,” Heieck said.

Fate, however, had other plans. In the first game of her senior year, Gottlieb tore her ACL, ending her high school career. To lift her spirits, her coach gave her an official Scarsdale High School polo with “Assistant Coach” embroidered on it. She embraced the role fully, realizing that her basketball IQ could be just as valuable from the bench as it was on the court.

That perspective carried over to Brown University, where she played college basketball. Plagued by lingering ACL issues, she spent much of her time on the bench, once again serving as an unofficial coach to her teammates. It became clear—her future wasn’t in playing the game but in coaching it.

What religion does Lindsay Gottlieb follow?

Gottlieb is Jewish. Her achievements in sports have been recognized in the Jewish community, with her career being covered by outlets like the Jewish News of Northern California and Israel Hayom. In 2016, she was inducted into the Jewish Sports Hall of Fame of Northern California, a testament to her impact both as a coach and as a role model for Jewish athletes.

Her story is one of resilience, intelligence, and an unyielding belief in possibilities. Whether it was fighting for her right to play football, overcoming injuries, or breaking barriers in basketball coaching, Lindsay Gottlieb has never backed down from a challenge. And with USC continuing its rise in the NCAA under her guidance, her journey is far from over.