In JSU's game against Texas, Longhorns coach Vic Schaefer chewed on areferee until he received a technical. We caught up with the 2020 Coach of the Year to learn more about her coaching journey, the disrespect that she feels Black female HBCU coaches experience in the industry, and how shes building a championship program at Jackson State. Tomekia Reed is a hot commodity as a speaker, leader, and head coach. HBCUs have had great head coaches in the past and there are many good ones around in the present, particularly given what they have to work with. Mississippi State Personnel Board. With three consecutive Southwestern Athletic Conference championships, the Lady Tigers are off to a 3-0 start in SWAC play this season. TR: For me, its just really important to stay classy, stay professional, be a model and just to show we can do this. And when the change starts, it's going to go across the board. She helped lead the program to a WNIT appearance before transferring to Hinds Community College for the 2000-2001 season. Tomekia Reed begins her first year as an assistant coach on Teresa Weatherspoon[apos]s staff as part of the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters program. Jackson State women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed after loss to LSU: 'We're gonna keep knocking', Jackson State women's basketball falls short of historic upset of LSU in NCAA Tournament, How a game of 1-on-1 basketball changed Ameshya Williams-Holliday's last name, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. We are doing the same thing other coaches are doing with less resources and sometimes a lot less talent. Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Forensics Laboratory. Why dont we have any worth? As much as Jackson State University women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed knows that now, her journey to this moment has been one of twists, turns and potholes. However, Reed spoke with passion aboutof the importance of fighting to make things better at JSU. Her coaching career began in 04 at South Georgia Technical College, where she served as an assistant coach and recruiter for three seasons. How they taught her the importance of being proud of being Black and dressing well, along with other life lessons. This year's mark of 23 wins is the highest in program history, including a historic 18-0 record in SWAC play, surpassing a program-best 16 wins in 2020. I havent called yet, but Im certainly going to call because I want to know, why are we looked at as less than? Now, she tries to pass on the teachings of her parents to her young son, Carlon. After nearly upsetting LSU in a first-round NCAA Tournament game on March 19, 2022, Coach Reed was asked what her message to her team was following the tough loss: "Honestly, my message after today's game was, we have to continue to fight for our institution. It was at Hinds that Reed led the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) in rebounds per game and was also second in the conference in scoring. LSU coach Kim Mulkey spoke the truth on JSUs rising coaching star, HBCU Gameday x Protect Your Skull Player of the Year, Saturdays 83-77 win over the SWAC champions marked the second time in as many seasons as shes had to go through JSU. Mulkeys comments rubbed some people the wrong way as she knew they would if she said them. Nobody will ever take that away from me. In four seasons as head coach, Tomekia Reed has led Jackson State University women's basketball to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Theres an undeniable truth behind the words spoken by Jackson States womens basketball head coach, Tomekia Reed. Nine years ago, I wrote a piece in the infancy of HBCU Gameday called A Good HBCU coach is Hard to Keep. It hasnt been as frequent as I thought it might be back then, but my money says Tomekia Reed will have plenty of options on the table. They'd talked about the "rise of the underdog." 848 posts. Off the court, she is classy and elegant. Months later, Reed got the Jackson State job. She transitioned to online classes while taking care of him, working late at night on a laptop Reed had shipped her, sometimes with Jace in her lap. I think our ability to have won as many championships as weve won here at Jackson Statein three years weve won three championshipsso I think I had ears for the platform at this point. trademarks of Slam Media Inc. All rights reserved. After transferring to Georgia Southwestern State University, Reed continued her athletic dominance, this time leading the team in scoring and ultimately named team MVP. Reed plans on posting a social media message and putting it next to one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s famous quotes, and letting all athletes and HBCU athletes know their voice matters. Now hell have to work to make sure shes comfortably compensated because schools with more resources to put into womens basketball than JSU will definitely be taking note of Reed in a new light.Yes, HBCUs deserve great coaches that recognize their importance to not only their institution but the culture as well. We have to continue to fight for our culture. She served as the top assistant, worked with post players, and served as the teams academic liaison. Earlier this month it announced another Jackson hometown hero coming in as head coach in former NBA champion Mo Williams. The Jackson, Mississippi native, who originally joined the program back in '06 as a recruiting coordinator, has taken the HBCU program back to prominence after winning back-to-back SWAC regular. So to be able to do this in my community, it means a lot to me. Reed's extension is four years. A perennial Southwestern Athletic Conference power emerged. Saturday's game was a prime example of where she can take a program. 14 seed in the NCAA women's basketball tournament. Turner Staci Ann. The team has instituted a watch for negative displays of emotions during practice and games. SLAM: What are those levels youre addressing? tomekia.reed@hindscc.edu Phone 601.885.7023 Tomekia Reed was chosen as the new head women's basketball coach at Hinds Community College, her alma mater, on Friday, April 10, 2015. Brent has led Jackson State to a 21-18 record in conference play the past two seasons. Yeah, football is doing a great job. And so with that being said, our focus is not just in conference, competing in conference, our focus is being dominant and having a voice and being competitive out of conference. And I think that afforded me the opportunity to play four years on a scholarship. Develop Your Personal Mission Statement & Compelling Vision. Jackson State University is pleased to announce a four-year contract extension for head womens basketball coach Tomekia Reed. Jackson State had three players on the all-conference team, including Ameshya Williams, who was the SWAC Defensive Player of the Year. To learn more about the past and present of the BCA, and to register as a member of the BCA, clickhere. Reed transferred to Georgia Southwestern State University after her time at Hinds, where she led the team in scoring (finishing second in the conference) and earned the teams most valuable player award. I am extremely thankful and honored that President Thomas Hudson and Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson saw fit for me to remain at the helm of the JSU womens basketball program, Reed said. Tomekia Reed always knew coaching at Jackson State was a goal she wanted to achieve. Reed had screamed when brackets were released. Identify Target Roles. The turning point? Reed, who signed a four-year contract extension with JSU in 2020 after only two seasons as head coach, has taken the program to great heights in a short amount of time. Reed offers officials "The Scowl" a combination. On Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, not only will her Lady Tigers play at Texas Southern, but she will carry a heavy heart into the game. And she wasnt wrong. We have to make a strong statement in the preseason next year. Jackson State women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed coaches the game with passion and attitude. Im doing film, Im cleaning, Im mopping the floor, Im sweeping the floor, Im washing uniforms, I do it all, on top of game strategizing, on top of recruiting. The 2007-08 JSU squad captured the SWAC Tournament championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. We have to fight for our institution. She's the one who has built this program.". Mulkey will make north of $2.5 million this season. At Hinds, Reed led the Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) in rebounds per game and was also second in the conference in scoring. Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. I one day want the messages that I speak to be remembered and carried on throughout life as a legacy as Martin Luther King., TOMEKIA REED MEETS EMMITT SMITHJackson State women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed meets Pro Football Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith. 1 ranked recruiting classes in the state of Mississippi in both 2010 and 2011. Enter and space open menus and escape closes them as well. Reed began her coaching career at South Georgia Technical College, where she served as assistant womens basketball coach for three seasons. But she wasnt kidding and she wasnt wrong.Reed has taken JSU womens basketball to new heights since arriving as head coach in 2018, including back-to-back undefeated SWAC regular seasons and tournament titles along with NCAA appearances. The upset of LSU was the storybook ending, the tale that would have overtaken the tournament. At JSU, she also worked as an academic liaison and assistant coach, focusing primarily on the post players. We may not have the fancy buildings, but we are moving and changing lives, and developing and winning championships just like anybody else on any other level. The Lady Tigers opened conference play with a 12-0 start, which is the program best. SLAM: While youre surrounded by Black peers at the coaching level in the SWAC, how do you juggle the responsibilities and influence you carry as a Black woman in this space? The other technical hurt, though, as JSU would lose 83-78. Head Women's Basketball Coach JACKSON STATE UNIVERSITY 20, '22 SWAC Coach of the Year '20, '21, '22 SWAC Reg Season . Reed, who is in her fifth season at JSU, has posted an 85-45 mark and 64-10 record in SWAC action, which includes tying the single-season wins record (23) last season, three consecutive. A season later, Williams-Holliday who met her husband by beating him in one-on-one basketball, and added his name to hers scored in double figures without fail. The SWAC honored Reed as the Coach of the Year after. The announcement was made Monday. Monday could bring a litany of thoughts, looking back at early mornings of being together with her mom as they prepared Thanksgiving dinners. 14 seed in the NCAA women's basketball tournament. I always wanted to come back as the head coach. "Even though this is her last game for Jackson State University," Reed said of Williams-Holliday, "she is gonna continue to open the door for our conference, for our institution, for our HBCU community. She replaced Micheryln Smith, who previously served the college in the same role for eight seasons from 2007-2008 to 2014-2015. To her mother taking her to practice and games, or just laughing. But the beginning and middle of this story? And that program's rise isn't finished. I want to help you get through this. They cant even take charter flights anywhere. When Jordan was hired by Tucker, he signed a two-year contract with an annual salary of $225,000. That passion has cost and inspired her team at times: In last year's NCAA opening-round tournament game against LSU, Reed received a technical foul and the bench one as well. Tomekia Reed. Reed comes to Jackson State following a successful three-year stint as coach of the Hinds Community College women's basketball team. "Today is a very special . They dont have the resources over there. Head WBB Coach, Jackson State University . Williams was also named Defensive Player of the Year. She signed two of Georgias top athletes and one of Mississippis finest Dandy Dozen players. Texas would defeat JSU 75-58 on Dec. 14 at the Mississippi Coliseum. 2023 www.clarionledger.com. Reed began her collegiate playing career at Southern Miss, helping lead the program to a WNIT appearance before transferring to Hinds CC for the 2000-2001 season. Copyright 2023 SLAM Media Inc. SLAM, SLAMTV, SLAM MEDIA and the SLAM logo are registered The man behind those moves was Ashley Robinson, recently named AD of The Year and the recipient of a new contract himself earlier this month. Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a celebration of the civil-rights icon's life, but it's also one of remembering her late mother, Edith Mae Reed, whose birthday is was on that day. All rights reserved. 5 min read. A native of Jackson, Miss., Reed was Jackson States womens basketball recruiting coordinator from 2006-2009. If you can reach 100,000 people with a tweet or with a post, thats phenomenal, and it helps us in so many ways. REED BALANCES CHRISTMAS AND HER SONJackson State women's basketball coach Tomekia Reed balances sport, Christmas for her son, We want to use our emotions as a positive, Reed said. 2021. "I need to thank President Thomas Hudson and Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson for the faith and support they are placing in me with this extension, Brent said. TR: Recruiting. Khayla Pointer broke a tie with 49 seconds to go, with her 24th, 25th and 26th points of the game. #RiseTheUnderdog, You know, that was something Ive been feeling for a very long time, Reed says over a Zoom call in August. In four seasons as JSUs head coach, Tomekia Reed has led JSU women's basketball to the top of the Southwestern Athletic Conference. Williams responded that day. I just wanted to put it out there, I had no idea it was going to reach as many people as it did. Williams resisted. TR: He is just opening up the doors in so many ways for the community, for all sportsthe revenue, the resources that hes bringing. Tomekia Reed earns an extension after leading Jackson State to a regular season title. In 2021-22, Jackson State boasted SWAC champions in football, women's basketball, and other sports. I too one day, Reed said. Coach Reed has done a tremendous job and has elevated the program in her two short years on the job, Robinson said. I want my players to know I am fighting for them. And it shouldnt change seeing yourself on a higher platform. The video made its way to Mulkey, who said it became bulletin board material, but the Lady Tigers didn't care. You'll see a change, and we're going to keep working. HOW LSU CHANGED JSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALLHow a regret in NCAA Tournament near upset of LSU changed Jackson State women's basketball, When I am in the game, Reed said. Georgia Southwestern State University Coach Tomekia Reed is a native of Jackson, Mississippi, and a 1999 graduate of Murrah High School. It doesnt matter what people say about us, it doesnt matter, the respect that we dont get. That I believe in them.. TR: The disrespect runs deep. In a cauldron of noise and intensity, LSU responded with an 11-0 run of its own. 4 among non-AQ programs) in 2010 and the No. Design Your Ideal Work Environment & Work Day. Jackson State womens basketball coach Tomekia Reed coaches the game with passion and attitude. Yes, there are schools out there with the ability to pay Reed more who might be interested in hiring her away from JSU. Last Name (Optional First Name with no comma), Mississippi Education, School District Consolidation Program, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Forensics Laboratory, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Division of Medical Examiner, Mississippi State Board of Medical Licensure, Mississippi Department of Corrections, Medical Division, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Department of Child Protection Services, Public Employees Retirement System of Mississippi, Mississippi Department of Public Safety, Division of Support Services, Mississippi Department of Information Technology Services, Mississippi Education, Educational Television Authority, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Support Services, Mississippi Department of Mental Health, Central Office, Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. She said she didn't like to run. Other responsibilities included strength and conditioning liaison, player development, community service coordinator, and summer basketball camp coordinator. Amid conversations about the challenges coaches at HBCUs face, a successful and veteran one chimed in. "We have to continue to fight for our institution, for our conference, for our culture," Reed said. I had a very high basketball IQ and I was a great leader. Jackson State pays its football coach Deion Sanders less than a fifth of that. And we're gonna keep knocking until the respect is there., 662 S. President Street, Jackson, MS 39201662 S. President Street, Jackson, MS 39201. The coaching staff films practices and games, and will go over the team's negative emotional plays. I want him to be cognizant of the way he uses his voice and the words he uses to express his thoughts and opinions., MO WILLIAMS TALKS ABOUT M.L. Kim Mulkey and Tomekia Reed embrace. With the Lady Tigers down 15, Reed got T'd up. And Im not her agent. Martin Luther King Jr., Reed said, I often think about all of the things he fought for. All of the things that he prayed for and all of the things that he spoke for., REED SCOWL DRAWS TECHNICAL FOULSTomekia Reed's scowls draw technical fouls and often help Jackson State women's basketball. We will continue to transform the lives of our young men and be champions on the court and in the classroom.. Another strong statement. The youngest and only girl in a family of three brothers, Reed grew up as just one of the boys. TR: Im excited because were finally big at every position, now its going to come down to the game strategizing, and just getting them mentally understanding [that] we wake up and get dressed the same way they wake up and get dressedwe have an opportunity, a shot at this thing the same way they have a shot at it. But it is obvious that Reeds star is on the rise, and true to Mulkeys words, her pay will have to rise as well. Why are we not valued? BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - A familiar face will head the Jackson State women's basketball program as Tomekia Reed has been selected as the new head coach for Lady Tigers. its time to come back and knock the walls down.. Not with leaders like Reed; and players like Crump, who had 21 points Saturday, and who's just a junior. They dont have the resources you need to be successful. Its always bringing us down when were doing the exact same thing that the other schools are doing with limited resources and thats what I put in the tweet. Reed replaces former coach Surina Dixon, under whom Jackson State compiled an 82-93 record (55-53 SWAC; 1-3 SWAC Tournament) over the past six seasons. The U.S. Census Bureau tracks median household income up to $250,000. Youre going to take a cheap bus to your games. She said she didn't know when it would happen, but after the recent death of her father, she's glad it. But lets also shine a light on other sports and what other people are doing. She has assisted in bringing several high-ranking recruiting classes, including the 2014 class at Louisiana Tech, which garnered a national Top 50 ranking and was the second-highest ranked class in Conference USA. All had failed. Over three agonizing minutes of basketball, it fizzled out. She was just an adult who cared about a struggling young woman. Why arent we important to this game of basketball that we love and study and have been a part of for so long, just as much as the others have? And to be able to be a part of a championship team then, and to be able to come back years later, and take us back to that point, its just been a phenomenal experience. That's why Reed's presence at Jackson State is so impactful. Jackson State extended Reed back in 2020 as she quickly put the program from the SWAC cellar to among its elite. She led the program to its first SWAC regular-season championship in over 10 years and has set the foundation for continued success. Others are about getting her team going. Off the court, she is classy and elegant. Often, her feelings lay bare in front. It won the league in 2021. Ameshya Williams-Holliday, their star player who doubles as a wife and mother, Reed had screamed when brackets were released, Six months after that, she gave birth to her son, Jace, met her husband by beating him in one-on-one basketball. Amidst all the shade, the Tigers finished their season with a 18-6 record and a trip to the NCAA tournament for the first time since 2008, where they faced Baylor in the first round.