After serving as the interim head coach for the 2020-21, Semeka Randall Lay has been named the 17th head coach in Winthrop women’s basketball history, announced Friday by the Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics, Ken Halpin.
“Semeka has worked so hard to keep this team together and focused through this very difficult year,” Halpin said. “She has helped them take necessary steps forward and we’re excited to permanently name her head coach and support this continued growth for our women’s basketball program.”
Randall Lay spent the 2019-20 season as the associate head coach for the Winthrop program before taking over the helm in an interim role prior to the start of the 2019-20 season. The Cleveland, O.H. native brings a wealth of coaching and playing experience at the NCAA Division I level. She is equipped with eight years of head coaching experience at the NCAA D1 level with five seasons at Ohio University and three seasons at Alabama A&M.
“I’m truly grateful to Interim President Dr. George Hynd and Dr. Ken Halpin for entrusting me to lead the Winthrop women’s basketball program into the future,” Randall Lay said of the opportunity. “I look forward to working with student-athletes to build strong, competitive teams that will win in the classroom and on the court.”
In her time as head coach of the Bobcats, Randall Lay recruited and signed two of the top classes in program history. During her tenure the Bobcats had seven all-conference performers in the Mid-American Conference as well as seven All-MAC Academic Team selections.
Prior to her arrival at Winthrop Randall Lay was an assistant coach at the University of Cincinnati in 2018-19. That season the Bearcats post a 24-11 overall record and third place finish in the American Athletic Conference with a 12-4 mark. As part of the historic season the Bearcats won consecutive games in the postseason for the first time as they advanced to the quarterfinals of the WNIT. It was also the program’s first 20-win season in 17 seasons and its highest finish in the AAC standings.
Before her career led her to Cincinnati, Randall Lay had been an assistant coach at Wright State for two seasons where the program recorded back-to-back seasons with 23 or more wins and two trips to the WNIT. In her coaching career she has experience at many levels of D1 women’s basketball with stops at Cleveland State, Michigan State, and West Virginia. In her time with the Spartans they played in the NCAA Championship game, made a Sweet 16 appearance and played in the NCAA Tournament all three years. In her season with the Mountaineers they posted a 25-8 record overall and 11-5 in the Big East.
Randall Lay was a standout at the University of Tennessee under legendary coach Pat Summit. She became one of the “Three Meeks” as she teamed up with Chamique Holdsclaw and Tamika Catchings to win the 1998 NCAA Championship behind an impressive 39-0 mark. During her playing career with the Lady Vols she was three-time All-America selection and finished her career with 1,915 points, 286 steals and 236 assists.
Following her collegiate career at Tennessee, Randall Lay was the 17th overall pick of the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Seattle Storm. She played in the WNBA for four seasons with Seattle, Utah and San Antonio before pursuing a career in coaching.
What they’re saying about Semeka Randall Lay
“Coach Randall is well qualified to be the head coach of the Winthrop University women’s basketball program with her many years of coaching experience at the D1 level. She is a person of great integrity who possesses excellent people skills. Coach Randall cares as much about student-athletes behavior off the court as she does with their performance on the court. I’m delighted that she has been appointed as the new head coach.”
- Rod McDavis, Former Ohio University President
“I am very excited about Semeka Randall being named the next Head Women’s Basketball Coach at Winthrop University. I’ve had the pleasure of not only coaching Semeka at the University of Tennessee (’98-’03), but watching her grow and succeed in the coaching profession. Not only was she instrumental in Tennessee winning the 1998 NCAA Championship, she comes to Winthrop with a loaded resume, full of valuable coaching experience. She knows how to lead and develop young women, and will build a very competitive program there at Winthrop.”
- Mickie DeMoss, Former Tennessee Assistant Coach
“Semeka has the qualities that are needed in a college women’s basketball coach, now more than ever. She has learned many valuable lessons from her playing experience, and her coaching experience. She is a “bigger picture” coach when it comes to her understanding of developing the entire program, and more importantly, the complete person. Her players will benefit from her experience in college athletics, and the program will be guided down the right path. I am happy for Semeka, in her endeavor to build a championship culture and program.”
- Kate Peterson Abiad, Former Cleveland State Head Coach
“Semeka is a great person and I am happy to vouch for her impeccable character. She is one of the most dedicated and hardworking people I have known. For these reasons, Semeka would be a valuable asset to any organization. “
- Bob Huggins, West Virginia Men’s Basketball Head Coach
“I have known Coach Randall since I coached her at the University of Tennessee. She was an inspirational teammate and a very talented player. I have followed her career since she started in the coaching business and had the pleasure of coaching with her at Michigan State. She knows the game and is an excellent teacher of the game. Her energy and enthusiasm are contagious. She is the type of leader that we need in college athletics.”
- Al Brown, Former Tennessee Assistant Coach
