Tomekia Reed’s on board to lift 49ers women’s hoops to elite

SAM ROBERTS | FREEZE FRAME

New Charlotte 49ers women's head coach Tomekia Reed is presented a jersey by athletic director Mike Hill at Halton Arena on April 29.

Tomekia Reed always wanted a jersey with her  name on the back.

She got just that as she was introduced as the next head coach of the Charlotte 49ers women’s basketball team.

“I must say, I am one blessed woman to stand before you as your next head women’s basketball coach,” Reed said. “I am so thankful for God’s grace and mercy because he is the reason that I am here today. I would like to thank Chancellor [Sharon] Gaber, Director of Athletics Mike Hill, and Executive Associate Director Reagan Hill for entrusting me with the future of Charlotte women’s basketball.”

Growing up in Jackson Mississippi as the youngest sibling of three older brothers, Reed knew what intense competition was early. Her father played football in college and her mom played basketball in college.

“So, I had to grow up playing something,” Reed said with a chuckle. “I learned how to play basketball on the basketball court in my backyard in the dirt.”

Reed went on to play basketball at Murrah High School, where her team quickly became one of the top programs around. She recalled traveling on Nike circuits where apparel company would pay for her school’s travel expenses. But she knew her role.

“I was not one of the great athletes,” Reed said. “But I was one of the ones doing the dirty work. I got the rebounds and played hard defense. I was the one diving on the floor. I was a game-changer.”

Coaching foundation

After high school, Reed paid for her college by playing basketball but didn’t foresee a career in coaching.

“I went through a lot of different stops collegiately,” Reed said. “I had a decent career. It paid for school, right? So, after that, I wanted to be an anesthesiologist. But I couldn’t do that and play basketball. So, I chose to be an athletic trainer and stay close to basketball. I got a job coaching that I didn’t even apply for. They just offered me a job at a community college, and I’ve been going ever since.”

Reed’s accolades within the HBCU ranks are extensive. She was a multi-time SWAC coach of the year at Jackson State and three-time HBCU national coach of the year. The Tigers made the NCAA tournament three times and competed against top teams like LSU and Connecticut. Reed was very appreciative of Jackson State and the platform to grow as a coach.

“Jackson State University Athletics Director Ashley Robinson, I want to thank him for his support and for allowing me to win many, many championships at Jackson State,” Reed said. “I am forever grateful for my HBCU family and experiences. To all of my former players and fans, you will always hold a special place in my heart.”

New chapter

Reed has big plans for the 49ers. She feels there is a foundation to build upon. In talks with current players, there was a common theme.

“As I’ve talked with them, one thing I’ve heard consistently is that you love this place and you’ve positioned yourself for greatness,” she said. You are hungry to win championships. When you have the right [coach], I have no doubt that we will do that together. We will not just be the standard. We will be the true definition of the gold standard.”

Reed wants to win immediately. It starts by retaining players and bringing in recruits who will buy into what Reed sets in place. She was clear that her teams would be fast and physical, but also disciplined. She wants to challenge her team and play the best competition, even the national power just down the road in Columbia, South Carolina.

“We have talked about playing a game with Dawn [Staley] here,” Reed said. “So, we are working on that. I’m certainly not afraid to play with the bigger schools. You can look at my track record. We just want to bring excitement. If that means bringing Dawn Staley here in our gym, that’s what we want to do.”

The resources Reed now has from a recruiting and facilities standpoint, are greater than before. She plans on exploiting them for the betterment of the program.

“There are way more resources here than we had at Jackson State,” Reed said. “So, we will continue to do what we do. Having more is better, so it should make my job slightly easier, but we are going after the top players in the country. We want the top recruiting classes in the country and with the resources we have, I think we can do that here in Charlotte.”

Ultimately, Reed’s mission is larger than basketball. She wants to impact lives and help cultivate generations that will succeed her. This is what made her fall in love with coaching and what keeps her in it today.

“To just be able to impact student-athletes and really help them become good people,” Reed said, “and I think I’ve been pretty successful. I promise you, I don’t harp on wins and losses. I want you to be great people. I want you to have options and prepare you for life after college. That is really important to me. I like to invest in student-athletes and give them what I didn’t have. When you invest in them, they will run through a brick wall for you because they understand it isn’t just about competition.”

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