Jackson, Miss.– Former South Georgia Technical College Lady Jets Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach Tomkia Reed became the Jackson State University Head Women’s Basketball Coach in April of 2018. She was recently highlighted by the Black Coaches Association as the only black head coach in men’s and women’s NCAA Division I basketball that is undefeated in conference play.
Reed played a portion of her college basketball career at Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. After graduation, she landed her first assistant coaching job at South Georgia Technical College with Lady Jets head coach Brandan Harrell. She coached at SGTC for three years.
Reed and her Jackson State University Lady Tigers are on a 14-game winning streak and are 16 – 6 overall this season. They are 8 – 0 at home. They participate in the Southwestern Atlantic Conference. Dating back to last season, the Lady Tigers have now reeled off 30 consecutive victories over teams from the SWAC, including the SWAC tournament, and 27 straight wins over SWAC opponents in regular-season play. The Lady Tigers’ last loss to a SWAC opponent was a two-point, 72 – 70 loss at Alabama State on January 4, 2021.
Reed came to Jackson State following a successful three-year stint as coach of the Hinds Community College women’s basketball team. Hinds Community College won a combined 47 games under Reed, including consecutive winning seasons in 2016 – 2017 and 2017 – 2017 – 2018. Reed led Hinds CC to the NJCAA Region 23 title game in 2017.
A native of Jackson, Mississippi, Reed was Jackson State’s women’s basketball recruiting coordinator from 2006 – 2009. While there, she served as the top assistant and also worked with post players at JSU and served as the team’s academic liaison. During that time, the Lady Tigers claimed the SWAC regular season championship and made a WNIT appearance in 2006 – 2007. The 2007 – 2008 JSU squad captured the SWAC Tournament championship and made an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.
Reed also had assistant coach stops at Southern Mississippi, Louisiana Tech, Louisiana-Lafayette, and New Orleans, serving as recruiting coordinator at each school during her respective stints.
Reed, a native of Jackson, Miss., began her coaching career at South Georgia Technical College, where she served as assistant women's basketball coach for three seasons. She signed two of Georgia's top athletes and one of Mississippi's Dandy Dozen players.
As a college player, Reed began her career at Southern Mississippi where she received the Coach’s Award, the Most Improved Player Award and helped lead the program to a WNIT berth in 1999-2000.
Reed then transferred to Hinds Community College where she was named most valuable player while leading the team in scoring and rebounding. She was second in the conference in scoring and first in the conference in rebounding. Reed was named MJCAA first-team for her effort.
She then signed to play at Georgia Southwestern State where she led the team in scoring and was named team most valuable player.
Reed received an associate degree in sports medicine from Hinds Community College in 2001. She then earned a bachelor's degree in exercise science in 2003 from Georgia Southwestern State University.
She has a son, Carlon Reed Lowery.