Tomekia Reed loathes complacency. That trait doesn’t exist in her DNA. Mediocrity doesn’t fit in her visual perception as a coach or a full-time mother to her 10-year-old son, Carlon. “She’s big on discipline and demands excellence,” says Jackson State guard Miya Crump. Reed is in constant pursuit of growth and success. It’s how she has elevated the JSU women’s basketball program—her matter-of-fact approach to details, eye-catching outfits at games and fortitude through adversity breeds confidence in her players, not allowing them to settle for less, even when they are exhausted.
On Dec. 8 during a morning practice inside the Walter Payton Health and Recreation Center, Reed is immersed in a defensive drill ahead of the HBCU’s clash against Missouri. “We got to be d— smart … and stay wide,” Reed says to her players. “That’s the only reason why Missouri is 5–1.” As her players move synchronically in rotation, Reed’s pedagogy exceeds the early-December matchup against a middle-of-the-pack SEC squad. It’s part of the team’s creed this season to “knock down walls,” and “do something that’s never been done before,” she says. Reed, who is in her fifth season at JSU, has posted an 85–45 mark and 64–10 record in SWAC action, which includes tying the single-season wins record (23) last season, three consecutive regular-season championships and two conference tournament titles in three appearances.
Her brazen frame of mind precedes SWAC dominance and involves the Tigers ascending into the national conversation of women’s college basketball by “beating Power 5 programs.” Reed placed a check mark by that goal this season, knocking off Big 12 foe Texas Tech on Nov. 15 in the preseason WNIT while still recording some close losses against UCLA (60–72), Oregon State (63–53) and Missouri (61–74) this season. The transfer portal, like for many programs, has been advantageous for Reed, who is aiming for more parity in women’s basketball.
Coaching at an HBCU versus a Group of 5 or Power 5 program is night and day. Or, as Reed recently tweeted, not for the weak. “You’re going to fight battles internally and externally,” she says. “If you aren’t willing to roll up your sleeves, make a difference … then get out of the way. Our work here is bigger than us.” Nothing lit a fire inside of Reed more than watching her team go stride-for-stride in a near-historic upset of Kim Mulkey’s LSU squad during the opening round of the 2022 women’s NCAA tournament. JSU’s 83–77 heartbreaking defeat was not the outcome it wanted. But it put thousands of spirited fans inside the Pete Maravich Assembly Center and millions around the world watching the game on notice of what Reed was assembling at Jackson State. Even Mulkey—who nearly jumped out of her shimmery black-and-gold jacket during the final quarter—acknowledged her opponent’s preparation, saying Reed would not be at JSU long if the program didn’t “pay” her based on her talent.
Reed interviewed with programs from the Pac-12, the Big 12, the American and Mountain West conferences and was a finalist for a Power 5 program. But she also felt there was unfinished business to take charge of this season. All of it’s possible, and to some, it’s prescient. The moment is not too big for Reed, who spent more than two decades—as a player and coach—training and preparing to shatter barriers to success.
As she breaks the huddle after giving instruction to her first five players for the next drill, Reed retreats to the sideline. Her coaching style—manufactured with a ladder of DNA composed of love, family and phenomenal recruiting—is the key to her success. However, achievement does not come without change and sacrifices.
