Leaders. Trailblazers. Mentors. Every team has a visionary leading the helm, and what they represent is bigger than overall records and postseason wins (those are also great, too). All across the country, Black women are leading their respective college basketball programs and paving the way for more people of color, and women, in the industry.
As we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month—and Black history every day—WSLAM and the Black Coaches Association are spotlighting those coaching DI, DII and DIII college hoops.
Regardless of whether they’re competing in the NCAA tournament right now or not, these are the women leading favorite squads.
Dawn Staley:
South Carolina | Began as head coach in 2008 |
Accolades include getting inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, leading the program to two National Championships (2017, 2022) and five NCAA Final Fours
Felisha Legette-Jack:
Syracuse | Coaching Career began in 1989 | Joined Prior to 2022 season
2024 ACC Coach of the Year and CAA Coach of the Year in ’04
Ashley Langford:
Stony Brook | Coaching career began in 2009 | Joined Prior to 2021 season
Has the best winning percentage (.683) of any head coach in program history and has led her squad to an average of 20 wins per season
Vanessa Blair Lewis:
George Mason | Coaching career began in 1996 | Joined Prior to 2022 season
1998-99 NEC COY and 4x MEAC COY
Niele Ivey:
Notre Dame | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined prior to the 2020 season
Led the program to its first regular season ACC title since 2019 and named the 2022-23 ACC Coach of the Year
Aqua Franklin:
Lamar | Coaching career began in 2009 | Joined prior to the 2019 season
Finalist for the Nancy Lieberman Award
DeLisha Milton-Jones:
Old Dominion | Coaching career began in 2016 | Joined prior to the 2020 season
Ranks top-10 in NCAA all-time wins; three national championships, 25 tournament appearances, 17 conference championships and 55 All-Americans
Tomekia Reed:
Jackson State | Coaching career began in 2006 | Joined prior to the 2008 season
Led the program to four straight SWAC regular season titles, back-to-back SWAC tournament titles and NCAA appearances, as well as the program’s first even WNIT appearance
Mary Grimes:
Le Moyne | Coaching career began in 2009 | Joined prior to the 2021 season
In the first two years of being head coach, led the team to two Northeast-10 Conference Regular Season Championships, and 2023-24 NEC Coach of the Year
Dawn Thornton:
Arkansas Pine Bluff | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined prior to the 2019 season
Qualified for the conference tournament for the first time since 2017
Erin Dickerson Davis:
William & Mary | Coaching career began in 2020 | Joined prior to 2022 season
Led the team to the most wins by a first year head coach in program history
Jesyka Burks-Wiley:
Florida International | Coaching career began in 2013 | Joined prior to the 2020 season
Led the team to their first winning season since 2012-2013 and matched single-season win record by having 12 CAA wins
Carrie Moore:
Harvard | Coaching career began in 2010 | Joined prior to 2023 season
Led Harvard to highest NET ranking in program history and was named ESPN coach of the week in January 2023
Margaret Richards:
Alabama A&M | Coaching career began in 2005 | Joined prior to the 2016 season
Led the team to SWAC tournament semifinals and to a program record of 17 wins against Division 1 opponents
Freda Freeman-Jackson:
Alabama State | Coaching career began in 1991 | Joined prior to the 1998 season
Has led the program to three SWAC Regular season titles, numerous trips to theNCAA Tournament and one WNIT berth.
Adia Barnes
Arizona | Joined in 2016
WNIT champion and led the program to the Final Four in 2021.
Natasha Adair
Arizona State | Coaching career began in 1998 | Joined prior to the 2023 season
Started the season 5-0 for the first time since 2002 and CAA coach of the year in the 2020 season
Destinee Rogers:
Arkansas State | Coaching career began in 2015 | Joined prior to the 2018 season
First African-American female head coach to win a game in school history and reached the Sun Belt Conference tournament quarterfinals for the first time since 2017
Johnnie Harris:
Auburn | Coaching career began in 1998 | Joined prior to the 2022 season
Inducted in Watson’s Chapel High School Hall of Fame and defeated Texas A&M for the first time in 2019
Brittany Young:
Austin Peay | Coaching career began in 2013 | Joined prior to 2023 season
First head coach in program history to lead the team to back to back conference tournament semifinals and the 37 wins are the most by head coach in their first two seasons
Janell Crayton:
Bethune-Cookman | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined prior to 2021 season
Member of Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and in the first year recorded five wins in BCU’s inaugural season in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC)
Charmin Smith:
California | Coaching career began in 2003 | Named head coach prior to 2019-20 season
First Black female coach in program history. Led team to most overall (19) and Pac-12 (7) wins in five years. Listed as 2020’s top 100 Most influential figures in Women’s College Basketball.
Katrina Merriweather:
Cincinnati | Coaching career began in 2001 | Joined in 2023 season
3x Horizon League Coach Of the Year
Ganiyat Adeduntan:
Colgate | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined prior to the 2022 season
Tamika Williams-Jeter:
Dayton | Coaching career began in 2002 | Joined prior to the 2023 season
Led the team to A-10 Championship Tournament
Sarah Jenkins:
Delaware | Coaching career began in 2006 | Joined prior to 2023 season
Led the team to the Colonial Athletic Association regular season title
Jazmone Turner:
Delaware State | Coaching career began in 2014 | Joined prior to the 2022 season
Part of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association 30 Under 30 Class
Doshia Woods:
Denver | Coaching career began in 2001 | Joined in 2020
Led the team to be in the top 50 in NCAA free throws made and ranked 12th in the country for blocked shots per game
Kara Lawson:
Duke | Coaching career began in 2019 | Joined in 2020
Led the team to the best season in recent history, a 26-7 record; ranked third in NCAA in scoring defense (51.0).
Kim McNeill:
East Carolina | Coaching career began in 2013 | Joined in 2019
Named AAC Coach of the Year and won the 2023 AAC Tournament championship
Ke’Sha Blanton:
Eastern Michigan | Coaching career began in 2010 | Joined in 2022
Led the team to Horizon League Women’s Basketball Championships
Charlotte Smith:
Elon | Coaching career began in 2002 | Joined in 2011
Led the team to four consecutive years of advancing to the CAA championships and was the 2016 CAA Coach of the Year
Bridgette Gordon:
Florida A&M | Coaching career began in 2004 | Joined Prior to the 2023 season
Coached six players to the WNBA
Jennifer Sullivan:
Florida Atlantic | Coaching career began in 2008 | Joined prior to the 2022 season
Guided a 140% increase in wins and season sweep over rival FIU
Bridgette Mitchell:
Fordham | Coaching career began in 2013 | Joined prior to the 2023/24 season
Won CAA Coach of the Year
Anita Howard:
Georgia Southern | coaching career began in 2012 | Joined Prior to the 2019 season
Led the team to the first 20-win season since 2002 and ranked 5th out 348 NCAA Division 1 in scoring offense (79.3 ppg)
Courtney Simmons:
Grambling State | Coaching career began in 2008 | Joined prior to the 2023 season
Guided prior teams to Sun Belt Tournament Championships
Danielle Santos Atkinson:
Hofstra | Coaching career began in 2006 | Joined in 2019
Led the team to CAA Women’s Basketball Championships and the first 12-seed in the CAA Championship that advanced to quarterfinal since 2006
Ty Grace:
Howard | Coaching career began in 1998 | Joined in 2015
Won first MEAC Tournament title since 2001 and 2020-21 MEAC Coach of the Year
Special Jennings:
Jacksonville | Coaching career began in 2016 | Joined in 2023
Octavia Blue:
Kennesaw State | Coaching career began in 2008 | Joined in 2020
Fasted KSU head coach to 30 Wins
Kia Damon-Olson:
Lafayette | Coaching career began in 1993 | Joined in 2017
Brought the team to Patriot League Semifinals
Lauren Sumski:
Lipscomb | Coaching career began in 2014 | Joined in 2019
First Female in Lipscomb History to be Head Coach and tied the program record for wins (20)
Rene Haynes:
Long Island | Coaching career began in 2012 | Joined in 2019
12th Head coach in 54 years and Greater Columbus Legends Hall of Fame
Erika Lang-Montgomery:
Longwood | Coaching career began in 1995 | Joined in 2022
In the first season, Longwood to a sixth place finish in Big South standings
Danielle O’Banion:
Loyola (MD) | Coaching career began in 2002 | Joined in 2021
2023-24 Patriot League Coach of the Year
Aarika Hughes:
Loyola Marymount | Coaching career began in 2011 | Joined in 2021
Named Top 21 Coaches by The Athletic Magazine and recognized by Women’s Basketball Coaches Association’s Top 30 Coaches Under 30
Alex Simmons:
Memphis | Coaching career began 2009 | Joined in 2018 but named head coach in 2023
Named Big South Coach of the Year
Kimberly Anderson:
Mississippi Valley State | Coaching career began in 1982 | Joined 2022
6th Women’s basketball head coach
Trelanne Powell:
New Orleans | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined 2023
Second Coach of the Year in 2023
Jada Pierce:
Niagara | Coaching career began in 2004 | Joined 2015
Set new program record with 16 MAAC wins and earned a bid to WNIT
Priscilla Edwards-Lloyd:
Northeastern | Coaching career began in 2010 | Joined 2023
8th Head Coach in Program History
Tanya Warren:
Northern Iowa | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined 2007
3x MVC Coach of the Year
Yolett McPhee-McCuin:
Ole Miss | Coaching career began in 2004 | Joined 2018
Led the team to 11th Sweet 16 in Program History and 19th NCAA Tournament appearance
Carrie Banks:
Omaha | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined 2020
Led the team to 29 Wins and made it to the Summit League Tournament in 2022
Sandy Pugh:
Prairie View A&M | Coaching career began in 1987 | Joined 2018
Led the team to WNIT Appearance
Erin Batth:
Providence | Coaching career began in 2004 | Joined 2023
Guided former teams to NCAA Tournament appearances and 11th coach in the program’s history
Jen Brown:
Queens University | Coaching career began in 2005 | Joined 2020
Led the team to the D1 Level
Coquese Washington:
Rutgers | Coaching career began in 1999 | Joined 2022
WBCA Carol Eckman Integrity in Coaching Award and 3x Big Ten Coach of the Year
Ravon Justice:
Sam Houston State | Coaching career began in 2004 | Joined 2019
Led the team to 35-23 record and 2018-19 Southland Coach of the Year
Stacie Terry-Hutson:
San Diego State | Coaching career began in 1999 | Joined 2013
Made the WNIT which is the First Postseason Appearance Since 2012
April Phillips:
San Jose State | Coaching career began in 2013 | Joined 2022
Led the team to first Mountain West Conference Tournament win since 2020
Yolisha Jackson:
South Alabama | Coaching career began around 2016 | Joined as assistant coach 2019
10th women’s basketball Head Coach in program history
Rekha Patterson:
Southeast Missouri State | Coaching career began ain 2022 | Joined 2015
Led the team to second OVC Tournament Title and 2019-20 OVC Coach of the Year
Kelly Bond-White:
Southern Illinois | Coaching career began in 1999 | Joined 2022
Coached the team to score at least 100 points on three occasions and 2021-22 MVC Coach of the Year
Toyelle Wilson:
Southern Methodist | Coaching career began in 2003 | Joined 2021
First Black Female Head Coach at SMU and brought the team to its second consecutive WNIT appearance
Keila Whittington:
St. Francis (PA) | Coaching career began in 1991 | Joined 2023
Led the team to 1st in free throw percentage (.810) and defensive rebounds per game (27.1)
Diane Richardson:
Temple | Coaching career began in 2000 | Joined 2022
Led the Team to 11-18 Record with Eight Players and 2018-19 CAA Coach of the Year
Joni Taylor:
Texas A&M | Coaching career began in 2002 | Joined 2022
2021 SEC Coach of the Year
Vernette Skeete:
Texas Southern | Coaching career began in 2009 | Joined 2022
Reestablished the TSU brand in community
Zenarae Antoine:
Texas State | Coaching career began in 1999 | Joined in 2011
All-time winningest coach and 2023 Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year
Shereka Wright:
Texas-Arlington | Coaching career began in 2006 | Joined 2020
Won Sun Belt Coach of the Year in 2021
Styia Messer:
UCF | Coaching career began in 2000 | Joined 2022
Led the team to 6-0 Start since 1984
Denise King:
UMass Lowell | Coaching career began in 2005 | Joined 2018
Led the Team to Two Straight America East Playoff Semifinal Games
Dionnah Jackson-Durrett:
UMKC | Coaching career began in 2010 | Joined 2022
Led the Team to Summit League Championships
Trina Patterson:
UNC Greensboro | Coaching career began in 1991 | Joined 2016
2x SoCon Coach of the Year, 1993 CAA Coach of the Year, and 2007 AEC Coach of the Year
Nicole Woods:
UNC Wilmington | Coaching career began in 2009 | Joined 2023
Inducted into the Gatson Sports Hall of Fame
Amaka Agugua-Hamilton:
Virginia | Coaching career began in 2006 | Joined in 2022
Two-Time MVC Coach of the Year
Semeka Randall Lay:
Winthrop | Coaching career began in 2007 | Joined in 2020
Led Rivalry Wins in 2021-22 against Presbyterian, UNC Asheville and Charleston Southern
Marisa Moseley:
Wisconsin | Coaching began in 2005 | Joined in 2021
Won the 2019 Patriot League Coach of the Year
Dalila Eshe:
Yale | Coaching began in 2006 | Joined in 2022
Coached Ivy League Co-Defensive PLayer and Top 10 finalist for Nancy Lieberman Award
Michelle Clark-Heard
Mercer College | Coaching career began in 2018 | Joined in 2024
Photos via Getty Images. Portrait via AAMU and Harvard Athletics.
Featured graphic designed by Abdel Kyle Traore.
