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Jackson State names new coach for women’s basketball program

Here are the top priorities for Margaret Richards, who spent eight seasons at the helm of Alabama A&M’s team

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    Jackson State University guard Miya Crump plays in the game against UConn in the first round of the NCAA tournament on March 23 at Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Connecticut. M. Anthony Nesmith/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
    Mia Berry By @Iammiaberry

    Jackson State University announced Margaret Richards as the new coach of its women’s basketball team Wednesday.

    Richards replaces Tomekia Reed, who departed Jackson State for a coaching position at Charlotte on April 25.

    Richards isn’t a stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference. She coached at Alabama A&M University for eight seasons, compiling a 97-125 overall record and a 69-70 conference record. She also has coaching experience from a stint at Saint Augustine College from 2008-2010.

    With the transfer portal closing Wednesday and summer workouts starting in several weeks, Richards has a list of things to do to prepare the Lady Tigers to defend their conference title next season. Here are what her top priorities should be as Jackson State’s new coach.

    Recruiting

    Jackson State dominated the SWAC last season, but several key players from that roster are graduating or in the transfer portal. Jackson State is slated to lose its top six scorers from a season ago. Andriana Avent, Miya Crump, Angel Jackson and Keshuna Luckett are graduating. Jackson, who was named SWAC defensive player of the year in March, was selected by the Las Vegas Aces with the 36th pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. Guard Ti’lan Boler, center Daphane White and several other players entered the transfer portal a month ago, so Richards will have to fill out her roster immediately.

    Filling out her staff

    Two of Richards’ former assistant coaches at Alabama A&M, Freddie Murray and Larry McNeil, have strong Jackson State women’s basketball ties. Murray, a Jackson State alum, spent time as a graduate assistant coach with the Lady Tigers under coach Denise Taylor from 2001 to 2003, earning a SWAC regular-season title in 2003. McNeil, who worked as an assistant coach for Jackson State from 2001 to 2008, was named interim coach for the Lady Tigers during the 2011-12 season. He finished the season with an 11-17 record in the SWAC. Both understand the Jackson State fan base and could be vital to recruiting players.

    Win fast

    Richards doesn’t have a SWAC regular season or tournament championship, but Jackson State is a program accustomed to success. The women’s basketball program has won nine SWAC tournament titles. Under Reed, Jackson State won five consecutive SWAC regular-season titles and three SWAC tournament championships in the last four years. All eyes will be on Richards and her staff to maintain the high standard of winning conference championships.

    Mia Berry is the senior HBCU writer for Andscape and covers everything from sports to student-led protests. She is a Detroit native (What up Doe!), long-suffering Detroit sports fan and Notre Dame alumna who randomly shouts, "Go Irish."

    This Story Tagged: SWAC HBCU Basketball Alabama A&M Bulldogs Jackson State Tigers Tomekia Reed … View All Southwestern Athletic Conference Margaret Richards