Navigating Change: A Look at HBCU Basketball Coaching Transitions

The world of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) basketball is dynamic, with coaching changes becoming increasingly common. The era of coaches remaining with a single program for extended periods is fading. Like players navigating the NIL landscape, coaches are now more willing to pursue new opportunities with greater frequency. This article examines recent coaching changes within HBCU basketball programs, exploring the reasons behind these transitions and their potential impact on the conferences and student-athletes involved.

The Evolving Landscape of HBCU Coaching

The landscape of coaches in HBCU basketball is continually evolving. Coaches, both men and women, are no longer defined by long tenures with a single program or conference. The NCAA transfer portal and recruiting tactics have become critical for college coaches. Just as players are making quick moves in the NIL era, coaches are also making career transitions with much less hesitation than in previous years.

SWAC Shake-Up: Departures and New Beginnings

The Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) has experienced significant shifts in its coaching ranks. Donte' Jackson, after seven successful years at Grambling State, accepted the head coaching position at Alabama A&M. Jackson mentioned at his Alabama A&M introductory press conference that "We [his family] decided to hit the 'reset' button." His decision was influenced by the persistent lack of resources plaguing the Grambling State basketball program. Jackson leaving the G-Men to take a position at Alabama A&M, Landon Bussie has decided to leave The Reservation at Alcorn State to become the new head men's basketball coach at Chicago State. Like Jackson, the departure of another former SWAC Coach of the Year further weakens leadership within the SWAC.

Prairie View A&M and Alabama State are also experiencing transitions. Sandy Pugh and Freda Freeman-Jackson, two iconic figures within the SWAC, stepped down after decades of leadership, leaving behind a combined 52 years of service. New Prairie View A&M head coach Tai Dillard is returning to her Texas roots to lead the Panthers into a new era. Her basketball journey has always been rooted in passion, grit and excellence. Playing for legendary Texas coach Jody Conradt, a trailblazer in women’s basketball, Dillard was a member of the 2003 Longhorn Final Four team. Dillard rose through the collegiate ranks with stops at UTSA, USC, Ole Miss, and most recently, the University of Houston. Johnetta Hayes, the sixth coach in Alabama State history, spent the 2024-25 season as an assistant coach for Rutgers University. Before Rutgers, Hayes most recently served as the head coach at UMBC. A veteran with 10 years of head coaching experience, Hayes is excited to return to the SWAC. She was the head coach at Texas Southern from 2013-19. “I am deeply grateful to President Ross, Dr. Cable, and Dr.

Grambling State's Coaching Vacancy

The Grambling State athletic department has been very quiet lately, only to state that a press conference to introduce the new men's basketball coach will be held at 11:00 AM CT on Friday, Apr. The departure of Donte' Jackson left a void in their men's basketball program. The athletic department stated that a press conference to introduce the new men's basketball coach will be held at 11:00 AM CT on Friday, Apr.

Mississippi Valley State

James, who has served as the acting head coach during the recent season, has been at MVSU since 2022. Prior to his time at MVSU, Jones coached men’s and women’s basketball at Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina. James led MVSU to its first SWAC tournament win since the 2012-13 season.

MEAC: A Whirlwind of Changes

The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) has also witnessed significant coaching movement. Larry Vickers packed his bags after the Norfolk Spartans women's basketball team lost to the Maryland Terrapins in the first round of the NCAA Women's Tournament. The following day, Auburn announced him as the new head coach for their women's basketball team. Vickers, who was named MEAC Coach of the Year, received a substantial raise from the team Norfolk State defeated earlier in the season.

First, Morgan State’s longtime head coach Ed Davis announced his retirement on March 18 after a distinguished 33-year career. On April 4, Coppin State’s Jermaine Woods returned to his alma mater to fill the Norfolk State vacancy, completing a full-circle moment. That left both Morgan State and Coppin State with openings. On April 9, the Bears hired Nadine Domond, who led Virginia State to consecutive 20-win seasons and the CIAA tournament championship game this past spring, as well as its first appearance in program history in the NCAA Division II tournament. Five days later, Coppin State turned to former Lincoln (Pa.) head women’s basketball coach and former Arizona State associate head coach Darrell Mosley to replace Woods. A few weeks later, South Carolina State’s Tim Eatman resigned after three years. When the dust settled, four programs had shifted, sending a tsunami that reverberated across the MEAC.

Norfolk State: A Coaching Carousel

The departure of Larry Vickers from Norfolk State triggered a series of events. Coppin State’s Jermaine Woods returned to his alma mater to fill the Norfolk State vacancy, completing a full-circle moment. “Around the time we were preparing to play Cleveland State [in the second round of the WNIT], things started heating up with my agent in the talks. Then, it just happened really fast after that, after we lost to Cleveland State. Things kind of moved fast after that,” Woods explained. “I’m excited to be here. Man, it’s a dream come true. I’m born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. “To be back home and to be able to give back to the community and institution, it means the world to me,” Woods continued.

This transition also impacted the team's roster, with three Norfolk State players entering the transfer portal, including junior guards Da’Brya Clark and Anjanae Richardson. Kierra Wheeler, a two-time First Team All-MEAC selection, transferred to West Virginia.

Clark didn’t learn of the tweet until after Norfolk State’s tough 82-69 season-ending setback to Maryland, when Richardson showed her. Some of Norfolk State’s managers saw it before the game. Richardson recalled the moment Vickers told the team during an emotional meeting the following morning before they checked out of their hotel and returned to Norfolk. “Everything just happened so fast, from making it to the tournament, to playing the game, and then just finding that out right after the game was crazy,” Richardson said about learning of the coaching change.

However, the story took a positive turn when Woods engaged with Clark and Richardson, sharing his vision for the program. Both players ultimately withdrew from the portal and returned to Norfolk State, a significant win for Woods and the university. Woods had familiarity with both players since he coached against them over the last two years. “I never had intentions on leaving Norfolk State when I entered the portal,” Clark shared. “When I first came here, you could never tell me that I wouldn’t get my degree from Norfolk State. I instantly fell in love with the school when I came here for my visit. Then coming here, playing here, I fell in love with the people. Everybody from facilities to staff is like a big family. I feel like what we built at NSU is another reason why I never seen it in my plans to leave. Clark and Richardson aren’t just preserving a championship legacy - they helped build it. As key contributors during Norfolk State’s championship years, they now return as curators of that winning standard, ready to lead from the front. The Spartans have accumulated a couple of significant streaks they are proud of. In addition to winning 31 consecutive MEAC games, Norfolk State also holds the nation’s longest home-court winning streak, at 26. “I’m really proud of our team and what we accomplished this year,” Richardson said. “I feel like we could do it again, honestly. It wasn’t my intention to leave, either. I’m from the seven-five, and I like being at home. We didn’t know who the coach was going to be, so I wanted to explore other options and see what else was out there. When I found out Woods was coming, we had a good talk. Clark and Richardson have been involved in recruiting visits, helping ensure that the right people were coming in to keep the team strong.

Woods has already signed transfers Cire Worley and Nyah Gaston (Coppin State), Jasha Clinton (Hampton), and Jazmine Spencer (North Florida). Clinton and Spencer were double-digit scorers at their previous institutions. “Recruiting is the easy piece for me,” Woods said. “I don’t mean that in a cocky way. I’m relationship driven and that’s who I am at the core. When I first got here, I made my business to build a relationship with [AJ and Da’Brya]. They came back because they love Norfolk State. But if I came in all about myself it could have been a different story, because they could have went a multitude of places.

Morgan State and Coppin State Find New Leaders

With Woods' departure to Norfolk State, both Morgan State and Coppin State were left with coaching vacancies. Morgan State turned to veteran women's basketball coach Nadine Domond, who previously led Virginia State to consecutive 20-win seasons and an NCAA Division II tournament appearance. Domond has accepted an offer from Morgan State University. She will leave Virginia State to transition from the CIAA to the MEAC, where she will lead the Bears in Baltimore.

Coppin State turned to former Lincoln (Pa.) head women’s basketball coach and former Arizona State associate head coach Darrell Mosley to replace Woods. Mosley is excited to lead a program again, and it’s something he’s worked for since making the hard decision to leave a championship team he built at Lincoln and move to the Division I ranks. With 15 years of coaching experience at the collegiate level, including a six-year stretch as the head women’s basketball coach at Lincoln (Pa.), Mosley played for two years at Delaware State before finishing his career at Lincoln (Pa.). “My goal was to get back in that head coaching seat and be able to lead,” Mosley said to The Next. “I put the work in. I’ve worked at a mid-major and Power Five, and even though it was only four years, it felt like 10. Like Woods, Mosley has had to move quickly as he inherited one remaining Coppin State player, sophomore guard Mickelle Lowery, from last season’s team. Mosley had to rely on existing relationships to quickly sign five players, varying from high school recruits to junior college transfers.

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The next chapter of the iconic Coppin State-Morgan State rivalry will feature fresh faces, as Domond and Mosley get excited to lead their respective programs. “I’ve seen the success she’s had at Virginia State and just the CIAA in general,” Mosley said. “I can tell she’s a phenomenal coach. You know, the numbers don’t lie. Overall, there’s a lot of good coaches in this league. I got my hands full, you know, we got to get this thing going and going right away. Even though Larry dominated the league the last three years, the result has been you’re seeing those other programs continue to rise and get big-time transfers to come in.

Domond’s basketball journey is steeped in excellence and shaped by experience at the game’s highest levels. As a standout at the University of Iowa, she played under legendary Hall of Fame coach C. Vivian Stringer. She earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors and helped the Hawkeyes win the 1997 Big Ten title while making three NCAA Tournament appearances. Domond’s coaching career began in familiar territory - the MEAC - as a graduate assistant at Hampton University before being elevated to an assistant coach. From there, her path led to roles at Rutgers under her former coach, C. Vivian Stringer; at Grambling State, where she was named SWAC Coach of the Year in 2015, and later at Virginia State. Known for her commitment to player development and a competitive, disciplined approach to the game, Domond expressed her enthusiasm about building a championship-caliber culture both on and off the court. “I believe the landscape here is wide open - there’s a blank canvas full of potential,” said Domond during her introductory press conference. “That’s what makes Morgan State such a beautiful and special place. It’s a unique opportunity to build something great, and that’s what drew me here. This University truly is a National Treasure. It’s going to be exciting basketball.

Savannah State

Baker is no stranger to the MEAC, having previously led Savannah State during its time in the conference from 2010-19. He guided the Tigers to the 2015 MEAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth, becoming the winningest coach in program history with 262 victories across Savannah State’s Division I and II eras. In total, Baker has led teams to six national tournament appearances and secured nine regular season and conference tournament championships.

CIAA: Fayetteville State's Uncertainty

Last week, rumblings out of Fayetteville State began before Coach Luke D'Allesio was to co-coach the 2025 Men's HBCU All-Star game. On Thursday, an FSU representative told HBCU Legends that they had "no statement" about the coach's status. One report said his "contract was not renewed," while another stated "they mutually parted ways." It's hard to understand why a coach with over 300 wins wouldn't receive a new contract unless something else is in the works.

On Wednesday, Apr. 9, the school officially reported his departure, and the rumors of D'Allesio taking over at a SWAC program hit the rumor mill.

Virginia State

Veteran women's basketball coach Nadine Domond has accepted an offer from Morgan State University. She will leave Virginia State to transition from the CIAA to the MEAC, where she will lead the Bears in Baltimore.

Other Coaching Moves

Coach Devin Hoehn announced his departure from Bluefield State on social media to intrigue us about where he might land. After four seasons, he'll take his burgeoning talent as a head coach to a new destination ---- hmmm.

Factors Driving Coaching Changes

Several factors contribute to the increasing frequency of coaching changes in HBCU basketball:

Resource Disparities: Coaches may seek opportunities at programs with better resources and facilities, as highlighted by Donte' Jackson's move from Grambling State to Alabama A&M.
Career Advancement: Coaches are often driven by the desire to advance their careers, whether it's moving to a larger program, a more prominent conference, or a Power Five school, as seen with Larry Vickers' move to Auburn.
The Transfer Portal and Recruiting: The evolving recruiting landscape, influenced by the transfer portal and NIL deals, places greater pressure on coaches to adapt and maintain a competitive roster.
Personal Circumstances: Personal reasons, such as a desire to return to one's alma mater or be closer to family, can also play a significant role in coaching decisions, as exemplified by Jermaine Woods' return to Norfolk State.

Honoring Leaders

CIAA Commissioner Jacqie McWilliams Parker and MEAC Commissioner Sonja Stills were honored as 2025 Nike Executives of the Year by Women Leaders in Sports Convention in Kansas City, Missouri. McWilliams Parker recently celebrated her 13th year as commissioner of the country's oldest HBCU athletic conference. As a trailblazer, she forged new territory when she became the first Black female to lead a collegiate athletic conference.

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