St. Thomas assistant coach Leon Hayward reflects on his 20-year coaching journey and his status as the only Black assistant coach in college hockey, helping lead the Tommies through a successful DI transition.
Coaching while Black
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Strength, development coaches mostly work behind the scenes
From custom lift plans to game-day meals, St. Paul Saints strength coach Stephen Hopkins focuses on durability and routines that keep players healthy. Across town, the Lynx’s Sefu Bernard brings a chess-minded, culture-first strategy to player development as Minnesota chases another deep postseason run-two Black leaders shaping performance behind the scenes.
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New Mystics head coach ‘humble but enthusiastic’
First-year Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson and longtime WNBA coach Shelley Patterson bring Black excellence and experience to one of the league’s youngest teams.
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MLB manager’s advice to hopefuls: ‘You gotta nail the interview’
In this Coaching While Black feature, Los Angeles Angels Manager Ron Washington reflects on leadership, resilience, and the challenges Black MLB coaches face.
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Losing coach hopes for better days
Jazmone Turner’s first season as Delaware State WBB Coach was not without its ups and downs. It also can make a coach, even one as experienced as Turner, self-question what they are doing.
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Losing coach sees bright future
Malikah Willis came to Maryland Eastern Shore last April with over 23 years of collegiate coaching experience. She has various roles, including lead recruiter at most of the 12 schools Willis has served as an assistant coach.
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Are there good Black coaching candidates out there?
Despite a 31% increase in Black head coaches in the NCAA over the past decade, there are still only 15 Black head coaches out of over 1,000 DI coaches, and 15 Black head coaches were fired or stepped down, with only 5 finding new employment.
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First-year coaches on a learning curve
Stephanie Cooper and Rachel Naughton, two experienced coaches, have taken on the challenge of turning around the University of the Virgin Islands and Wilberforce University women’s basketball programs, respectively, despite the obstacles they face.
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Black coaches shine in HBCU Athletic Conference, a true showcase of excellence
Fisk University’s Head Women’s Basketball Coach Victoria Crawford and Stillman College Assistant Coaches KaTia May and Montego Hoskins were honored with awards at the HBCUAC Post-Season Tournament for their leadership and excellence.
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Omaha a leader in Black college coaching
Carrie Banks is in her fifth season as the head coach of the Nebraska Omaha women’s basketball program, making her one of the few all-Black coaching staffs in college basketball, while Leonard Hamilton retires after 22 seasons as the winningest coach in Florida State history.
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Young coach does it all with enthusiasm
Wendale Farrow, the only Black male on the USC women’s basketball coaching staff, is dedicated to helping his players and the entire coaching team achieve success and provide value to the program.
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For Denver coach Woods, ‘the game will always be more than basketball’
Denver WBB Coach Doshia Woods is making a positive impact on her players and the community, while also paving the way for future generations of Black coaches in the sport.
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Stephens’ coaching philosophy: Do right by everyone
Dwayne Stephens, the head men’s basketball coach at Western Michigan, has led the Broncos to become one of the top rebounding teams in the MAC, while also prioritizing academic success and diversity in his coaching staff.
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Veteran coach has witnessed ‘seismic shifts’ in college hoops
Sherman Dillard, a long-time coach at Iowa, was recently inducted into the A STEP UP Assistant Coaches Hall of Fame, and has been coaching for over four decades, focusing on giving back to young men and helping them reach their goals.
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Fourth Black HC invades The Barn so far this season
Reggie Theus, head coach and athletic director at Bethune-Cookman, is raising funds to build a championship culture and appreciates the significance of competing against another Black head coach.
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Black coaches make impact in college basketball: Eastern Illinois, Cleveland State and Yale
Three Black Division I head coaches, Marqus McGlothan, Daniyal Robinson, and James Jones, recently discussed their experiences coaching at different levels of sports, highlighting the importance of diversity and longevity in the coaching profession.
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There’s something special about coaching at your own alma mater
Chris Crutchfield, head coach of Nebraska Omaha MBB, recently used a stool that belonged to former Gophers coach Clem Haskins, and is working hard to make it work at his alma mater.
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Denise King knew early that coaching was in her future
Denise King, head coach of UMass Lowell women’s basketball, reflects on her transition from assistant coach to head coach, and the importance of having more Black head coaches in the profession.
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Second year coach sees representation very important
Way Veney, the first Black female head coach in Central Connecticut State women’s basketball history, is proud to represent Black women in leadership roles and has established the culture she wants for her program.
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Coaching while Black
Ben Johnson and Mike Woodson, the only Black men’s basketball head coaches in the Big Ten, are preparing for their fourth seasons on the job, facing the challenges of player departures and unrealistic criticism due to their race.