Prairie View A&M University Athletic Director Fred Washington announced today the promotion of Toyelle Wilson to head coach of the women’s basketball team.
“We’re glad to have been able to retain Coach Wilson and are excited about the future of our women’s basketball program,” said Washington. “Wilson has been a part of all the success we’ve had and is deserving of a chance to show everyone her ability to coach on this level.”
Prior to accepting the position of head coach, Wilson spent the past four seasons as the top assistant coach for the Lady Panthers and played a large role in Prairie View A&M’s success with four consecutive postseason appearances, three straight Southwestern Athletic Conference regular season titles, two NCAA Tournament and two Women’s NIT berths. Off the court, Wilson was involved in all aspects of the program with special emphasis on recruiting, the development of the team’s perimeter players, scouting, film breakdown, game strategy and operations such as team travel.
“I’m unbelievably excited to be the head coach at Prairie View A&M University,” stated Wilson. “It’s an incredible opportunity that I’ve been given by Mr. Washington and our President Dr. Wright and I’m honored they felt I was the right person to continue the success of this program. I take that honor very seriously, and I’m going to work incredibly hard to prove them and others right while continuing to build on the success that we’ve had over the last four years.”
No stranger to turnarounds, Wilson coached three seasons at Robert Morris University in Pittsburgh, Pa. and played an integral role in the program’s ascension during her tenure. In only her second season on staff, RMU finished 20-10 and performed the third-biggest turnaround in NCAA history among teams after one season play. In addition, it only marked the third time in program history that Robert Morris had tallied a 20-win season.
A native of Camden, N.J., Wilson holds a bachelor’s in business management from Manhattan College in 2003 and was a four-year letterwinner on the court. As a freshman, Wilson started 18-of-29 games for the Lady Jaspers and capped off her career in 2002-03 by leading Manhattan to an NCAA Tournament berth and a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship with a 20-10 overall and 15-3 MAAC record. She also served as team captain during her stint and earned Defensive Player of the Year honors.
“Coach Wilson has been a part of championship teams as a student-athlete in college and a coach,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Female Sports Alicia Pete. “Based on her knowledge and wisdom of the game, I anticipate she’ll continue to uphold the winning tradition she has helped establish during her tenure at Prairie View A&M.”
Wilson, 28, is one of the youngest NCAA Division I head women’s coaches in the country.
“Lastly, I would like to thank Coach (Cynthia) Cooper-Dyke,” added Wilson. “She trusted in me and all the things I could bring and do for her and the team when I arrived 4 years ago. She has taught me so much that I will take with me as I lead my team in the future and in life. I am so grateful to have had her in my life and words can never explain how valuable she has been not only as a mentor but as a friend. She told me that she believes I will do an awesome job.”
PV got it right though it took a long time to do it.
Congrats COACH, you deserve it!!! You embody the statement of "Hard work pays". I'm proud of you . From a friend in NYC and an old Bronx rivals.