Texas State women’s basketball head coach Zenarae Antoine announces the return of Chandra Dorsey as associate head coach Tuesday. Prior to a one-year stint at Wichita State during the 2014-15 season, Dorsey spent three seasons as the Bobcats assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
In all, Dorsey has a total of 14 years of experience coaching women’s basketball at the Division I level.
“I am very excited about returning to Texas State University and the San Marcos community,” said Dorsey. “My three years here were very memorable for both the players and staff involved. I am eager to return and share some of my most recent experiences and help continue the success that has already begun here for women’s basketball.”
While Dorsey was with Wichita State, the Shockers earned their third consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance after sweeping through the Missouri Valley Conference Tournament for their third consecutive title. The 2014-15 Shockers finished the season with a 29-5 overall record and 17-1 MVC mark as they also won their third consecutive regular season title.
At Wichita State, Dorsey had the fortune of coaching Alex Harden and Jamillah Bonner, the 2014-15 MVC Player of the Year and MVC Defensive Player of the Year, respectively. Both players earned First-Team All-MVC honors and along with being an AP All-American Honorable Mention honoree, Harden was drafted as the No. 18 overall pick of the 2015 WNBA Draft by the Phoenix Mercury.
“I am very excited to bring Coach Dorsey back to Texas State to the program that she helped build,” said Antoine. “Chandra is very familiar with the inner workings of our program and her experience at Wichita State will immediately impact our program, especially from the defensive standpoint.”
In her first three seasons with the Bobcats, she helped lead Texas State to its first victory over a Big 12 opponent since 2005 with a 91-80 victory over TCU. Dorsey’s first recruiting class at Texas State combined for 20.1 points per game, equivalent to almost 29 percent of the team’s scoring during the 2012-13 season. The collection of four freshmen was ranked the No. 76 recruiting class in the country, according to Dan Olson.
Dorsey returns to Texas State having nine players of which she recruited to play for the Bobcats, including Second-Team All-Sun Belt Conference selection Erin Peoples. Along with Peoples, seniors Ayriel Anderson and Raven Burns are part of Dorsey’s first recruiting class at Texas State.
“I personally believe that Coach Z is one of the brightest head coaches in the country, and I have a tremendous amount of respect for her overall vision for her players and program,” added Dorsey. “The opportunity to return and work with Coach Z and coach our very first signing class as they enter their senior season, along with an eager group of underclassmen, is one I could not turn down.”
Before going to Texas State, Dorsey spent four seasons at the University of Tulsa. After one season she was appointed recruiting coordinator.
In four seasons at Tulsa she was responsible for signing the Oklahoma 5A Girls Basketball MVP and Tulsa World Player of the Year, two Texas McDonald All-American Nominees, and the HoopGirlz Top 40th Forward in the Country. She also helped develop two C-USA All-Conference performers, including the 2010 All-Freshmen Team performer and 2010 C-USA Defensive Player of the Year. Dorsey’s other responsibilities included scouting opponents and developing the perimeter players. In March 2011, she was named interim head coach of the Golden Hurricane before deciding to go to Texas State.
Dorsey, a native of Pine Grove, La., went to Tulsa after spending two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Southern Mississippi. She worked primarily with the perimeter players, while her responsibilities also included recruiting, opponent scouting/film breakdown, assisting with summer camps, and coordinating the team’s community service projects. With help from Dorsey, the Lady Eagles won the USM Community Service Cup Award. She also helped coach and develop the 2006 C-USA Co-Freshman of the Year, along with three All C-USA performers.
She began her coaching career in her home state of Louisiana in 2001 following her collegiate playing career. Dorsey joined Southland Conference member McNeese State. At McNeese she was responsible for film exchange, team travel, scouting opponents, guard development, and on campus recruiting.
Dorsey was a four-year letterwinner at the University of Mississippi. While at Ole Miss she led her team to two postseason tournament appearances in 1999 and 2001 (WNIT), was selected as the team’s Most Improved Player in 1999 and Defensive Player of the Year in 2000. She was also selected as team captain during her senior campaign. Dorsey was named to the All-SEC Academic Honor Roll and was a member of the UMAA (University of Mississippi Athletic Association) Honor Roll.
A 2001 graduate of Ole Miss, Dorsey earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and a minor in sociology. Prior to her collegiate career, Dorsey prepped at St. Helena High School where she was named to the Louisiana All-State Team, All-Metro Team and was the 1996 & 1997 District MVP. Dorsey averaged 24 points, 10 assists, and 7 rebounds and her name appears on the 1000-point club scoring list with 1,200 points.
Dorsey regularly goes back to mentor and speak to St. Helena’s youth. She has spoken at several award banquets and served as the guest speaker at her alma mater’s commencement, along with being honored as the Grand Marshal of the St. Helena homecoming parade.
“Chandra’s work ethic, commitment to the student-athlete, and competitive nature are attributes that we welcome back here at Texas State,” added Antoine. “We are happy that she is back in our basketball family as we strive to win a championship.”
