For the first time in WNBA history, the Chicago Sky has an all-Black coaching staff, a milestone in a majority Black league and a powerful statement on representation.
Black coaches
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inCoaching while Black
Losing coach sees bright futureÂ
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.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Robert Finney on Hoops, History & Leading Beyond the Court
In this episode of Blacklight On Sports, Robert Finney shares his journey from standout athlete and pioneering coach to a corporate leader, blending basketball wisdom with life leadership.
Posted inAnother View
For Oral Roberts U coach, faith is the only way
Cophie Anderson, a former Fresno State basketball player, has been promoted to head coach of the Oral Roberts University women’s basketball team, becoming the fourth Black female head coach in the Summit League.
Posted inOdds and Ends
Black tennis coaches celebrate their historic matchup
Minnesota and Illinois in women’s tennis have met 32 times since 1991, and the 33rd meeting was the first time ever that both schools’ squads were coached by Black women, Lois Arterberry and Gabrielle Moore, who once were college teammates at Southern University.
Posted inBlacklight On Sports
Blacklight On Sports: Kenneth Lowe brings defensive expertise to St. Thomas sidelines
In the latest episode of Blacklight On Sports, co-hosts Charles Hallman and Dr. Mitchell Palmer McDonald, PhE., sit down with Kenneth Lowe, assistant coach for the University of St. Thomas (UST) men’s basketball team. Together, they explore his coaching journey, defensive philosophy, and life after professional basketball. From college standout to coaching strategist Lowe joined […]
Posted inOdds and Ends
Black tennis coaching ‘stagnant’
Rance Brown, Associate Head Women’s Tennis Coach at UCLA, has been instrumental in the success of the Bruins, winning two national championships and five Southwest Region assistant coach of the year awards, and is one of the few Black assistant coaches in the country.
Posted inAnother View
Any chance for another Black head coach in Gopherland?
The University of Minnesota Gophers’ next men’s basketball coach will likely not be Black, as the self-appointed search committee has only suggested white candidates, despite the fact that there are 16 current Black head coaches and 20 Black assistant coaches on the Advancement of Blacks in Sports watchlist.
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inCoaching while Black
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.
Posted inAnother View
Defending Black coaches against ill-informed critics
Coach Coquese Washington has been criticized by the media and fans for her decision to bench a freshman player, while Coach Ben Johnson is facing criticism for his team’s struggles this season.
Posted inAnother View
Underrated Summit League shows impressive coaching diversity
The Summit League has five Black head basketball coaches, which is more than the Big Ten and equals the Big East, and is underrated according to Denver WBB Coach Doshia Woods.
Posted inOdds and Ends
WNBA expansion gets underway
The WNBA is expanding to 15 teams with the addition of Portland in 2026, but the league’s majority Black coaches have been fired.
Posted inSports
Black head coaches committed to making their presence count
Two Black head coaches, Chris Markwood and Ben Johnson, were both on the floor during the Minnesota-Maine men’s basketball game.
Posted inSports
Gopher men’s basketball coach Ben Johnson ​faces unfair scrutiny
Black coaches Ben Johnson and Dennis Gates face unfair criticism in mainstream media.
Posted inSports
Diversity gaps remain wide among college coaches
The struggle for diversity in college basketball coaching continues.