BALTIMORE – In the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), multiple basketball coaches once competed as players in the conference themselves.
By mentoring the next generation of student-athletes, former players turned coaches are aligning with the conference’s mission, which includes “demonstrating a commitment to education, community and competitive sportsmanship.”
“There’s just something about this conference – when you’re a player and if you aspire to coach, there’s always opportunities,” CIAA commissioner Jacqie McWilliams-Parker said.
McWilliams-Parker, who was previously an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team at Virginia Union University, emphasized the importance of helping shape student-athletes beyond their athletic playing careers.
“It’s important to provide these leadership opportunities so they can envision themselves in roles beyond the court,” she said.
Making the transition from player to coach can present its own challenge as it requires a shift from individual performance to team leadership, yet some former athletes often find their understanding of the game provides a strong foundation for coaching.
“As a player, you’re moreso game planning, but as a coach, you’re trying to put the whole team in position to be successful,” said Winston-Salem State University volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach Will Tibbs, a former center at Fayetteville State University. “It’s a little different, but I can relate to the guys because I know what they’re going through.”
For players who have become coaches, drawing from their on-court experience equips them to teach the game’s nuances, motivate players and foster a strong team culture.
“Coaching was always something that I wanted to take part in,” said Shaw University assistant men’s basketball coach Wykevin Bazemore, a former Winston-Salem State forward. “I was kind of a vocal leader throughout my career, so a lot of people used to call me ‘Coach’ during the game, so I just kind of took that and ran with it.”
As a player, Kania Pollock, a former Lincoln University guard who is now the Lions’ assistant women’s basketball coach, played a key role in the program’s success, helping Lincoln secure the 2022 CIAA tournament championship and two Northern Division titles.
Pollock also has championship experience as a coach; she was an assistant coach for the Lincoln men’s basketball team in 2024, when the squad won the first conference tournament title in program history.
“Anytime you’re able to create a legacy for yourself and leave your mark somewhere, it’s always going to feel amazing,” Pollock said. “I actually have created one of the best legacies that I know of — winning a championship, a CIAA double championship, another championship as a player, and then coming on the men’s side and winning it as a coach.”
Many of these coaches are now focused on instilling the same values of commitment, discipline and resilience that shaped their own athletic careers. Whether coaching men’s or women’s basketball, they are contributing to the continued growth of their programs and the student-athletes they mentor. Pollock said “being dependable, being loyal” are among the qualities she stresses to student-athletes.
“I say leadership and being empathetic [are also key] because those are two things that you need to be a great leader for people,” she said.
Anthony Carpenter, who is now an assistant men’s basketball coach at Bowie State University after playing for the team last season, said coaching his former program “makes you want to win even more.”
“When you come here to play as a player and then you know you’re here as a coach, it kind of becomes like your second home,” Carpenter said. “With all the coaches on the staff being alumni except one, having leaders like [head men’s basketball coach] Darrell Brooks, you really feel that connection and commitment.”
Coaching in the CIAA is more than just a job — it’s a responsibility to uphold the history of HBCU athletics, Bazemore said.
“It means a lot. … This league gave me a chance to showcase my skills and myself as a player, so I really enjoy being in this league,” he said. “I get to give back to the players like my coaches gave back to me.”
CIAA players who have become conference coaches
Darrell Brooks
Current position: Head men’s basketball coach, Bowie State
Played for: Bowie State
Dexter Price
Current position: Assistant women’s basketball coach, Virginia Union
Played for: Shaw
Robert Johnson
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach, Virginia Union
Played for: Virginia Union
Paul Davis
Current position: Head women’s basketball coach, Bluefield State University
Played for: Winston-Salem State
Lester “Jay” Butler Jr.
Current position: Head men’s basketball coach, Virginia Union
Played for: Virginia Union
Corey Thompson
Current position: Head men’s basketball coach, Winston-Salem State
Played for: Winston-Salem State
Brandon Plummer
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach, Elizabeth City State University
Played for: Norfolk State University and Virginia State University
Terrence Jenkins
Current position: Head women’s basketball coach, Claflin University
Played for: Claflin
Jessica Hawkins
Current position: Assistant women’s basketball coach, Shaw
Played for: Shaw
Tierra Terry
Current position: Head women’s basketball coach, Virginia Union University
Played for: Winston-Salem State
Joseph Martin-Toney
Current position: Assistant athletic director and assistant men’s basketball coach, Johnson C. Smith University
Played for: Livingstone College
Trevin Parks
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach, Johnson C. Smith
Played for: Johnson C. Smith
Bryan Wilson
Current position: Associate head coach, men’s basketball, Bowie State
Played for: Bowie State
Wykevin Bazemore
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach/JV men’s basketball head coach, Shaw
Played for: Winston-Salem State
Lisa Jing
Current position: Assistant women’s basketball coach, Bowie State
Played for: Bowie State
Trevelen Stinson
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach, Livingstone
Played for: Livingstone College
Will Tibbs VI
Current position: Volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach, Winston-Salem State
Played for: Fayetteville State
Kania Pollock
Current position: Assistant women’s basketball coach, Lincoln (PA)
Played for: Lincoln
Anthony Carpenter
Current position: Assistant men’s basketball coach, Bowie State
Played for: Bowie State