Two-time WNBA champion and successful junior college head coach Yolanda Moore has been named the head women’s basketball coach at Southeastern Louisiana University, university Director of Athletics Jay Artigues announced on Friday, April 4.
Moore’s hiring is pending approval of the University of Louisiana System Board of Directors. Moore is the fifth head coach in program history and replaces Lori Davis Jones, who resigned following the 2013-14 season after 12 years as head coach.
Moore spent the 2013-14 season as the head coach at LSU Eunice. Taking over a program that had won 17 games combined in the previous two seasons, Moore led the Lady Bengals to a 26-3 overall record and the program’s first-ever Miss-Lou Conference championship.
LSU Eunice was ranked as high as No. 22 in the NJCAA Division I national rankings, thanks in large part to the commitment to defense by the 2013-14 NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year. The Lady Bengals finished the season ranked sixth nationally in scoring defense, holding opponents to just 39.9 points per game.
"We believe we have everything in place to be the premier women’s basketball program in the Southland Conference," Artigues said. "We were looking for someone who is dedicated to taking our program to the next level and we’re confident that Yolanda Moore is the person who can help up consistently compete for Southland Conference championships.
"Commitment to excellence in competition is only one part of what makes a successful head coach," Artigues added. "We have found someone in Coach Moore that will not only win games and compete for championships, but will help our student-athletes succeed in the classroom and thrive in the community. Coach Moore is going to bring a new energy to our program and we’re fortunate to have a person of her caliber join the Southeastern family."
Moore is excited for the opportunity to take the helm of the Lady Lion program.
"There were a lot of quality candidates for this position," Moore said. "I’m extremely humbled and grateful that the search committee and administration considered me a good fit after my experience as a coach, professional and a student-athlete. I’m very thankful to have this opportunity at Southeastern Louisiana University."
A 2010 inductee into the Ole Miss Sports Hall of Fame, Moore was a three-time All-Southeastern Conference post player for the Lady Rebels, including earning unanimous first team All-SEC honors in her final two seasons. Moore went on to become a player in the inaugural seasons of the WNBA and was a member of the champion Houston Comets during the league’s first two years.
Following her playing career, Moore put her Ole Miss degree in radio and television to work. In addition to serving as a women’s college basketball analyst for Fox Sports South in 2005, she was the postgame radio analyst for the NBA’s Memphis Grizzles in 2007.
Moore also has extensive experience as both a consultant and motivational speaker. She released her first book, "You Will Win If You Don’t Quit", in September 2012.
Moore, a Port Gibson, Miss. native, is the mother of four and has a grandson.
