SIUE women’s basketball head coach Samantha Quigley-Smith added to her coaching staff for the 2025-26 season with the addition of Tierney Lockett as an assistant coach.
Lockett will be working with the team as she makes the transition from being an assistant coach last season at Lewis.
“Tierney is an amazing addition to our program, Smith said. “Having been a former player and coach, reuniting is so exciting. Her recruiting abilities as well as basketball knowledge will be a great asset to our staff and women’s basketball student-athletes. She is a proven winner. We cannot wait to hit the ground running.”
Before joining the Cougars Lockett spent six seasons as an assistant coach for the Lewis women’s basketball program. She helped guide Lewis to a 23-9 record in the 2023-24 season. During this season the Flyers won the GLVC regular season championship and earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. This season also marked a program record for GLVC wins in a single season 19 wins.
During the 2024-25 season she helped Lewis achieve a 26-4 record, tying their single season record for GLVC wins in a single season, and making it to the NCAA Tournament again.
“I am incredibly excited to join SIUE’s team and coaching staff and begin this next chapter, Lockett said. “I look forward to meeting the team and working alongside such a passionate and dedicated staff.”
In 2022-23, Lockett helped lead Lweis to a 21-11 record. The Flyers finished in second place in the Great Lakes Valley Conference, advanced to the championship game and earned an at-large bit to the NCAA Tournament.
“I am truly grateful to Lewis University for the growth, development, and support I’ve received, Lockett said. “I hope to bring the same energy, commitment and collaborative spirit to my work at SIUE.”
Lockett played for Smith at Lewis women’s basketball from 2015-2019, appearing in 121 games with 59 starts. Her team advanced to the NCAA Tournament in each of her four seasons. In her final year she started all 32 games averaging 10.4 points, 3.3 assists and 3.0 rebounds. She had 17 games scoring in double figures, with a high of 26 points against Truman State in her final game.
After her playing career Lockett joined Lewis’s staff as a graduate assistant for two years before being named assistant coach in 2021-22.
She received her bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and got her Master of Business Administration degree with a focus in Marketing, both from Lewis.
