Georgia College & State University Director of Athletics Wendell Staton announced Friday (April 4) that head women’s basketball coach Ross Jolly has resigned, effective June 2. 

“We appreciate the contributions that Ross has made to our University and wish his family all the best moving forward,” said Staton  “Our program has had holistic success and this year proved to be outstanding on the floor as we hosted a PBC tournament contest and advanced to the semifinals. Women’s basketball has consistently excelled academicially, socially and in the community.” 

Jolly wrapped up his sixth campaign patrolling the sidelines for the Bobcats and enjoyed his finest season. GCSU won 17 games, including a 51-43 road victory over then-No. 5 University of North Georgia in February, during the 2024-25 season. He guided the Bobcats to a  No. 4 seed in the Peach Belt Conference tournament – their highest seed since 2018 –  and hosted their first PBC Tournament game since 2011.

“I am extremely proud of how far we have come over the past six seasons—on the court, in the classroom, and in the community,” said Jolly. “Collectively, our players and staff have worked hard to elevate our program to a competitive level. I am deeply grateful for the players who chose to be a part of Georgia College and for the opportunity to lead them. Milledgeville will always hold a special place in my heart. Go Bobcats!”

Over his time in Milledgeville,  Jolly mentored two 1,000-point scorers (Harper Vick, Ashyia Willis) and one player (Jada Warren), who grabbed 1,000 rebounds.  Jolly saw three players named to an All-Peach Belt team and Willis named the PBC Freshman of the Year in 2021-22.  Three Bobcats were honored as a PBC Player of the Week, 23 student-athletes were named to the PBC Women’s Basketball Team of Academic Distinction and 18 received the D2 ADA Academic Achievement Award.

A national search for the next leader of the women’s basketball program will begin immediately.

“We have an outstanding group of student-athletes and our program has fantastic upward momentum,” said Staton.  “We have an absolutely incredible situation here.  GCSU is one of three institutions in the University System of Georgia with a selective admissions process, we attract outstanding students and our enrollment is at an all-time high.  Everyone wants to come to Milledgeville!!  

“We have invested in our athletics programs in every way and women’s basketball has seen game changing investments in the Centennial Center,” added Staton. “We have the absolute latest technology with four brand new video boards, brand new electronic scoring tables, a brand new playing floor, and 4,000 brand new seats that I want to see filled and full of excitement as we find a new leader to take our program to national prominence.  As I like to say, we are headed “straight north” in everything we do at GCSU and our women’s basketball program is headed there quickly.  We are excited to search for the next leader of our storied women’s basketball program, providing a holistic, first-class, and competitive experience that we think is second to none.  Go Bobcats!!”

Story: Michael MacEachern, Assistant Director of Athletics for Communications

Tagged with: D2 Peach Belt