The coaching shakeups in SWAC women’s basketball continue to take shape this offseason, with the Jackson State Tigers finding its successor to Tomekia Reed.
Jackson State has hired former Alabama A&M women’s basketball coach Margaret Richards.
“I am excited to welcome Margaret Richards to Jackson State as our next head women’s basketball coach,” said Jackson State Athletic Director Ashley Robinson. “She is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference and success. While she has been in the conference, she has taken a program from the bottom of the standings to a contender, and when you look at your program leaders, that’s what you want.”
Richards took over as head coach of Alabama A&M in 2016, posting a 2-25 record in her first year with the team.
Three seasons later, she led the team to its first winning season since 2010, going 17-13 overall, including a 12-6 record against SWAC competition.
Welcome to THEE family ‼️
Margaret Richards named head coach for @GoJSUTigersWBB
🔗 | https://t.co/yya4nhzSyU#TheeILove | #BleedTheeBlue pic.twitter.com/y5AMTMsfX1
— Jackson State Athletics (@GoJSUTigers) May 1, 2024
Over her final five seasons with the Bulldogs, Richards led the team to a 71-65 overall record and a 55-30 record against the SWAC. This included four of five seasons in which she led A&M to 10 or more conference wins.
“I want to thank President Marcus Thompson and Vice President/AD Ashley Robinson for giving me this amazing opportunity to serve as the head women’s basketball coach at Jackson State University,” Richards said.
“When you look at the landscape of our sport in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the standard over the last five years has been Jackson State. I am humbled and honored to be given this opportunity to serve the young women of our program and the Jackson State community. I understand the expectations and can’t wait to get to work.”
Richards is taking over for a Jackson State team that has won the last five regular season championships and three of the last four SWAC championship tournaments.
In the last five seasons, Jackson State has held an 83-4 record against conference opponents, including two seasons with a perfect 18-0 record.
Richards’ introductory press conference is set to take place on Monday.