HBCU

Steve Joyner Jr. quits as JCSU women's basketball coach
Assistant Dante Travis takes over as interim leader
 
Published Friday, November 18, 2022 7:19 pm
by Herbert L. White

PHOTO | TROY HULL
Steve Joyner Jr., who went 147-105 as Johnson C. Smith women's basketball coach, has resigned according to the university. Dante Travis has been appointed interim head coach.

Steve Joyner Jr. is out as Johnson C. Smith women’s basketball coach.


According to a press release from the university, Joyner Jr. “recently resigned” without giving a reason why after nine seasons and a 147-102 record with the Golden Bulls  that includes the 2016-17 CIAA tournament title.

“We respect Mr. Steve Joyner Jr.’s decision and, just like any organization, we are not at liberty to discuss personnel matters or the personal decisions of our employees,” JCSU spokeswoman Sherri Belfield said in a statement to The Post.


Dante Travis has been appointed interim coach for the remainder of the season while the 0-3 Golden Bulls begin the process of hiring a successor.


“The University will conduct a national search for a new coach and is committed to the success of our women's basketball program – continuing our long tradition of building exemplary student-athletes who succeed in academic and athletic endeavors and as leaders,” Belfield said.


Joyner Jr., a West Charlotte High grad who played point guard for his father Steve Joyner Sr. at JCSU, was the Golden Bulls starting point guard on the 2001 team that won the school’s first CIAA tournament title and advanced to the Division II Elite Eight.


The Golden Bulls’ next game is against Bluefield State Nov. 26 at Brayboy Gymnasium on campus.


Travis, who is in his second season at JCSU, spent a year at Northwest Kansas Tech before coming to Charlotte. Before Northwest Kansas Tech, Travis was director of player development at Division I Morehead State for two years in addition to stops at the high school, Division I and Division II levels.


In one season as an assistant at Bethune-Cookman, Travis helped the Wildcats to a program-record 24-win season in 2017-18 along with a berth in the Women’s National Invitational Tournament and the school’s first top 25 ranking in the CollegeInsider.com Women's Mid-Major Poll.


At Division II Columbus (Ga.) State, the 2016-17 Cougars squad went 31-2 and advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA women’s tournament finishing with a No. 5 ranking in the final poll. Travis coordinated the offense, which was ranked 16th in the nation in scoring offense in 2017.


JCSU is Travis’ third stop at a CIAA school as a coach. He was an assistant at Livingstone (2015-16) and associate head men’s coach at his alma mater, the now-defunct Saint Paul’s (Va.) from 2004-09. Travis has also coached at Kentucky State of the SIAC (2010-14), and Chestnut Hill College (2009-10) where he was also recruiting coordinator.


At Saint Paul’s, Travis helped develop five All-CIAA players, two All-Rookie players, and a Rookie of the Year.  Travis’ primary responsibility was the Tigers’ offense and they ranked 12th nationally in scoring offense in 2006-07 at 85.1 points per game, first in 3-pointers made and second in CIAA scoring in 2007-08, and third in 2008-09.


Travis launched his coaching career in 2001 as boys’ coach at Ridge School of Montgomery County (Md.). In three seasons, he led the program to a 48-18 record and earned Coach of the Year honors in 2002-03 for a 19-4 season.


Travis played guard at Ferrum, where he helped lead them to a share of the Dixie Conference title. He transferred to Saint Paul’s in 1997, where he played three seasons with the Tigers.

This article has been corrected to identify J.C. Smith men's basketball coach Steve Joyner Sr.

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