JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A new era has begun for Jackson State Women’s Basketball as the Lady Tigers welcomed Margaret Richards as the new head coach.

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.

Richards said she’s thrilled for the new challenge.

“It’s been unbelievable. I mean, the support here, the love, the passion, the tradition, the tradition, the history. It’s been unbelievable, unbelievable. Amazing feeling. And I’m excited. I can’t wait to hit the ground running. I got a schedule to get to, I got… I mean, this has been unbelievable. I know a lot of alumni are excited. I can’t wait to get to meet them because it’s very important. Bridging that gap with the alumni. And so it’s been very, very, very exciting,” she said.

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