Kate Zhibareva joins the Privateers women's basketball coaching staff after her hire was announced in June 2023.

Zhibareva worked primarily with the post players. Nora Francois had a big close to the season. Francois had five double-doubles in her last seven games including a 30-point, 13-rebound performance against Southeastern. Francois and Zoe Cooper were both in the top 10 in the Southland in offensive rebounds per game.

Zhibareva joins the staff from her previous stop at Young Harris College in Georgia. While there, the team was regionally ranked for the first time in program history. Last season, Mackenzie Johnson earned All-Conference and All-American honors.
 
Zhibareva also coached at a current Southland program in Texas A&M-Commerce. While there (2019-21), the Lions had two All-Americans and five All-Lone Star Conference selections. The Lions appeared in the National Tournament for the third time in school history in her first season.

In 2019-20, Texas A&M-Commerce set a school record for most wins in a regular season (28) and longest winning streak (25).

Zhibareva finished her collegiate career with the Lions after previous stops at New Mexico JC and Marshall. In her final collegiate season, Zhibareva averaged 9.0 points and 5.3 rebounds while shooting 52 percent from the field and 83 percent from the free throw line.

Zhibareva earned her Master's in International Sport Management from A&M-Commerce in May 2021.