Another HBCU basketball coach opening has been filled, this time by a veteran who knows her way around the Southwestern Athletic Conference.
Johnetta Hayes, who coached Texas Southern to three straight regular season women’s basketball conference titles, returns to the SWAC as Alabama State’s head coach, the university announced Friday.
“Today, we celebrate Johnetta Hayes as the new head women’s basketball coach at Alabama State University,” Hornet athletic director Jason Cable said in a statement. “Her passion for the game, commitment to player development, and vision for success align perfectly with our vision. I do not doubt that our women’s basketball program will reach new heights under her leadership, fostering both athletic excellence and personal growth for our student-athletes.”
“I am deeply grateful to President Ross, Dr. Cable, and Dr. Lavalais for entrusting me with the incredible opportunity to lead the Alabama State women’s basketball program, Hayes said. “Alabama State athletics embodies a culture of unwavering dedication, a championship-driven mindset, strong family values, and faith-based principles. It is a true honor to be part of a university that stands firmly behind such core ideals. Now is the time for us to come together, SWARMAS1, and build a legacy of championship-level success for women’s basketball.”
After a standout career at Rice University, Hayes served as head coach at Wiley University and as an assistant at Prairie View A&M before being hired at Texas Southern in 2013. Hayes led the Tigers to the SWAC regular season championship during the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons. The third time was the charm for Hayes and Texas Southern as they won the SWAC tournament and made the first NCAA tournament appearance in program history.
Hayes went on to coach at Maryland-Baltimore County and was an assistant at Rutgers last season. Her career mark as a head coach is 154-154, with 115 of those wins coming at TSU.
Hayes replaces Freda Freeman-Jackson, who retired last month after 27 seasons at the helm in Montgomery.
Hayes’ official introduction will take place Tuesday Apr. 15.