The University of Detroit Mercy women’s basketball program adds another experienced coach to its staff as Titan interim head coach LaTanya Collins has announced Stephanie Edwards as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the squad.
Edwards joins Detroit Mercy after most recently working as an assistant coach with the Division I women’s basketball program at Jacksonville University, where she first started her coaching career as a graduate assistant before rising to assistant coach and recruiting coordinator during her time with the Dolphins.
“I am excited to have coach Steph join our staff this season,” Collins said. “Steph has great energy, an awesome personality and excellent leadership skills. I felt an immediate connection with her when I first met her. Her energy and her ability to build relationships with people from all backgrounds will be much needed in assisting with the growth and strengthening of our women’s basketball family. Every group needs a glue person and coach Steph is that person for us.”
Edwards was an assistant coach with Jacksonville, her alma mater, from 2017 through 2021 and also earned the title of recruiting coordinator for the 2019-20 school year. Prior to that, she was an assistant coach with Florida Southwestern State College in 2016-17 and began her coaching career as a graduate assistant with JU across two school years from 2014-16.
“I am extremely grateful and elated to be joining the Titan family,” Edwards said. “I want to thank coach Collins for believing in me and trusting me with the opportunity to assist in the development of the young women of Detroit Mercy women’s basketball.”
During her first season as part of JU’s coaching staff, the Dolphins set a school-record with 24 victories, reaching the championship game of the ASUN Tournament and making their second-ever WNIT appearance. During her four seasons as an assistant coach with Jacksonville, she was part of a staff that coached the Dolphins to 60 victories.
As part of the inaugural season with Florida Southwestern in 2016-17, Edwards helped coach the team that finished its year in the quarterfinal round of the FCSAA/NJCAA District VIII Championship. She helped guide the team to a record of 20-11, and was directly responsible for player development, academics, and compiling scouting reports.
She was a member of the 2014 Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) “So You Want To Be A Coach” program and during her two seasons as a graduate assistant with JU, helped the Dolphins to their first-ever ASUN Conference Championship title and NCAA Tournament berth in 2015-16 as Jacksonville earned 22 victories.
Edwards played collegiately for Jacksonville across two seasons (2012-14) and was a team captain, while also leading the squad in assists in both seasons. She ranked among the ASUN leaders in assists and steals during her senior campaign. She also played two seasons at Santa Fe College, where she earned Mid-Florida All-Conference honors and was Freshman of the Year after helping lead her team to a conference title and trip to the NJCAA national tournament.
A native of Miami, Florida, Edwards holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Jacksonville and also earned a Master of Education diploma in Leadership and Learning from JU in 2016.
