On April 15, 2025, Dr. Jason Cable, the vice president and director of athletics at Alabama State University (ASU), will officially introduce Johnetta Hayes as the new head coach for the women’s basketball team. The announcement will take place during a press conference at 1 p.m. at The ASU Stadium’s Lounge.
Hayes, who previously served as an assistant coach at Rutgers University during the 2024-25 season, is set to become just the third individual to lead the ASU women’s basketball program since its establishment in the 1983-84 season. She steps in following the retirement of Freda Freeman-Jackson, who led the team for 27 years.
Remarks from ASU Leadership
In a statement regarding Hayes’ appointment, ASU President Dr. Quinton T. Ross, Jr. expressed enthusiasm, stating, “The Alabama State University Hornet Nation is thrilled to welcome Coach Johnetta Hayes as the new head coach of our women’s basketball team. Coach Hayes is a proven winner and a two-time SWAC Coach of the Year who brings championship-level experience, a relentless drive for excellence, and a passion for developing student-athletes on and off the court. Her leadership will energize our program and inspire greatness in our talented roster of young women. We are confident that with Coach Hayes at the helm, Lady Hornets basketball is poised to rise to new heights. Let’s go, Hornet Nation!”
Coaching Experience and Career Achievements
With a decade of head coaching experience, Hayes is expected to make a significant impact at ASU. Her coaching career includes a successful six-year stint at Texas Southern University (TSU) from 2013 to 2019, where she amassed an impressive record of 197 wins and 165 losses. Her conference statistics are notable as well, with a record of 130-80.
During her time at TSU, Hayes led the team to an impressive 83-24 record in SWAC play, resulting in two regular-season titles and one SWAC tournament championship. Her tenure also saw the team qualify for four postseason tournaments, including two Women’s National Invitation Tournaments (WNIT).
Prior to her role at Rutgers, Hayes achieved significant success at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), where she guided the Retrievers to a remarkable 11-win improvement in the 2022-23 season. Under her leadership, UMBC recorded its best America East performance in years, finishing with a 10-6 conference record and reaching the America East Semifinals for the first time since 2015. Additionally, her team excelled academically, achieving a team GPA of 3.32.
Early Career and Education
Before her head coaching roles, Hayes worked as an assistant coach at various institutions, including the University of North Carolina-Wilmington (UNCW), where she contributed to back-to-back 20-win seasons and WNIT appearances. She also served as an assistant coach at North Texas, where she helped nurture Sun Belt Conference Rookie of the Year, Jasmine Godbout.
Hayes began her coaching career at Wiley College in Texas and Prairie View A&M before transitioning to head coach positions. As a player, she was a standout at Rice University, where she received First Team All-WAC honors and left a legacy as one of the top shot-blockers in school history, ranking third in total blocks.
Hayes graduated from Rice with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in 2004 and furthered her education with a Master of Education from Prairie View A&M in 2006. She is a proud mother of two daughters, Khloe and Zoie Perry.
Looking Ahead
As Johnetta Hayes steps into her new role, expectations are high for the ASU women’s basketball program. With her rich background and proven track record, she aims to build on the foundation laid by her predecessors and propel the Lady Hornets toward a successful future.
