The Centenary Department of Athletics and Director of Athletics and Wellness Ronda Seagraves announces the hiring of Justin LeBlanc as the head women’s basketball coach, effective immediately.
“I am proud to introduce Coach Justin LeBlanc as the next head women’s basketball coach of the Centenary Ladies. His knowledge of the game, recruiting ability, and his fit for Centenary College are what made him our first choice,” said Seagraves. “After a national search that brought exceptional applicants and a deep pool of qualified individuals, Coach LeBlanc emerged as our next leader at each step in the process. He has proved beyond a doubt that he can plan and execute practice and game strategies as well as teach and develop players who get better each game and every season.”
LeBlanc takes over the reins after serving five seasons as the assistant coach for the Gents basketball team. He has assisted in two of the most successful seasons in the men’s program’s history. This season the Gents clinched a share of the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season title after finishing second in the conference the previous season. Both campaigns concluded with appearances in the SCAC Championship game.
“I am honored to be named the next women’s basketball coach here at Centenary College. I would like to thank President Rowe and Director of Athletics Ronda Seagraves for giving me what I believe is a great opportunity to lead our women’s program,” said LeBlanc. “My family and I have grown very fond of Centenary over the last five years and are very excited about having a future here.”
As the program’s recruiting coordinator LeBlanc has played an essential role in the program’s recruitment of student-athletes. Just in the past three seasons LeBlanc has helped recruit 2012-2013 Third Team All-SCAC and Newcomer of the Year Brett Bell, 2013-2014 Third Team All-SCAC and Newcomer of the Year Kendall Demouchet, and 2014-15 First Team All-SCAC and Newcomer of the Year Travion Kirkendoll. Kirkendoll was also named to the DIII News All-Freshmen Team.
“Our program will be one that prides itself in our work ethic both on and off the court, and I look forward to working with our Ladies to make them the best players, students, and people they can possibly be,” said LeBlanc. “We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I know I have a team that is ready to embrace this challenge as well as a college and community that is ready to support us in making this program one that will make the entire Centenary College Family Proud.”
“As someone who has been instrumental in building the Gent’s basketball program Coach LeBlanc understands the culture of excellence and winning, as well as, what it takes to get better to compete each day in practice and games,” said Seagraves. “I look forward to watching our women’s basketball team be competitive and successful in the very near future.”
Prior to his time at Centenary, the native of Larose, La., served as an assistant coach at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss., for four seasons. During his stint at his alma mater, the Majors produced an overall record of 67-43 as well as captured a SCAC title in 2007-08 while advancing to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III National Tournament. During his four years, he coached and assisted in the development of eight all-conference selections, two NABC All-South Region selections, a SCAC Tournament MVP, and an All-American Selection.
LeBlanc was a four-year letter winner for the Majors from 2002-06, where he led his team to four SCAC Tournament appearances. He graduated from Millsaps in 2006 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in French. In 2011 he went on to receive his Master’s degree in Sport Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi.
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