JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson State University (JSU) Vice President & Director of Athletics Ashley Robinson has named Margaret Richards as the seventh head coach of the women’s basketball program.

“I am excited to welcome Margaret Richards to Jackson State as our next head women’s basketball coach,” Robinson said. “She is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) 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 leaders of your program that’s what you want. Our program has been at the top of the conference for the last five years and we want to stay there, and I believe that we have brought in the right person to do just that.”

Richards will replace former head coach Tomekia Reed, who was hired as the head coach for the Charlotte 49ers.

Richards comes to JSU from Mercer where she joined the staff after an eight-year run as head coach at Alabama A&M where she paced the Bulldogs to nearly 100 wins and six appearances in the SWAC Tournament.

“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.”

A news conference has been scheduled for Monday, May 6 at 11:00 a.m. at the Lee Williams AAC.