Felisha Legette-Jack was named head coach of the Syracuse women’s basketball team on Saturday, becoming the seventh head coach in program history.
Lagette-Jack graduated from Syracuse University in 1989 and was one of the most prolific basketball players in school history. Legette-Jack scored 1,526 points and had 927 rebounds in four seasons at Syracuse, and she is one of three players in program history to score more than 1,500 points and grab more than 900 rebounds. She is eighth in program history in career points and fourth in career rebounds. She was the 1985 Big East Conference rookie of the year, was a three-time All-Big East selection and was one of 15 players named to the Big East’s Silver Anniversary Team in 2004. Her No. 33 jersey was retired last November.
Lagette-Jack has more than 30 years of coaching experience. She spent the last 10 years as the University at Buffalo women’s basketball head coach.
John Wildhack, Director of Athletics released the following statement:
“We are thrilled to have Coach Legette-Jack lead our Women’s Basketball program. She is a builder of programs, evidenced by the success she had at the University at Buffalo. She is totally committed to the full development of every student-athlete and staff member who is part of her program. On behalf of Syracuse Athletics, all our alumni and fans around the globe, we welcome Coach Legette-Jack and her family back to Syracuse University and Central New York.”
Legette-Jack also released the following statement:
“I’m coming home! These words bring me great joy. I thank Chancellor Syverud and Director of Athletics John Wildhack for this amazing opportunity. It is a privilege and an honor to accept this position as your next head women’s basketball coach. The love that I have for our city, our University, and our Athletics Department cannot be measured.
“My goal is simple: Pursue championships in the classroom and on the basketball court. We will build our program with our C.A.B. philosophy: character, academics and basketball. We will work tirelessly to help our team understand that character will always be first, academics will be a close second and we will find the best athletes in the world to make you all proud.
“We will play with purpose, passion and pride! We will tell our story through our play. Our defense will show with intensity and purpose. Finally, we will earn the right to expand our minds and broaden our horizons TOGETHER!
“WE FIGHT ON! GO ORANGE!”
She will be formally introduced at a press conference on Monday, March 28.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].