CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. - Former Austin Peay State University forward
Jessica Grayson will return to the women's basketball program as an assistant
coach for the 2010-11 campaign, head coach Carrie Daniels announced, Tuesday. She
replaces former assistant coach Marcus Payne, who resigned in April after four
seasons.
"I am very excited to be able to bring Jessica back to Austin
Peay and have her be part of this program," said Daniels. "It was a long process and there was a
tremendous amount of interest in this job, but after going through the resumes
and interviews it was very clear the passion that Jessica has for Austin Peay
clearly made her the right person for this job. The experience she brings will
be very valuable."
"Austin Peay meant so much to me as a student-athlete,"
said Grayson. "And now to be given the opportunity to return is a tremendous
honor. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. I have no doubt that I'm in the right place
at suitable time for this position.
"From my conversations with Coach Daniels it is clear we
share the same loyalty, love and passion for this university and community. Not
only am I passionate and loyal to this university, I believe in the direction
of this program."
Grayson rejoins the Lady Govs after serving as an
assistant coach the past three seasons at UT Martin. Hired by former UTM head
coach Tara Tansil, Grayson remained on the staff under current head coach Kevin
McMillian. This past season, the Skyhawks qualified for the Ohio Valley
Conference tournament, earning the league's fourth seed. They advanced to the semifinals
for the first time since the 2006-07 season before falling to Eastern Illinois.
"Jessica was exposed to every aspect of the game while an
assistant at UT Martin," Daniels said. "I truly believe with her energy and
personality she will be a great fit with our team and hit the ground running.
The July recruiting period is here and I know she is ready to go."
She began her coaching career as a graduate assistant coach
at Division II Valdosta State for two seasons. While she was there the Blazers
compiled a 42-17 record in two seasons and reached the NCAA Division II South
Regional semifinals in 2007.
Grayson was a member of the Lady Govs 2002-03 and 2003-04
OVC regular-season and tournament championship squads. As a senior, she
averaged 6.7 points and 5.1 rebounds per game in 27 appearances as the Lady
Govs reached the 2004 NCAA Tournament. She was named to the 2004 OVC
All-Tournament team, averaging 10 points and 6.3 rebounds per game, including
13 points and eight rebounds in the semifinal win against Southeast Missouri.
"One thing is for sure, Jessica knows all about APSU and
is ready to help us continue to build on the tradition as a coach that she
helped start as a player," said Daniels.
Prior to joining the Lady Govs, Grayson was a standout at
Columbia State Community College, leading the program to its first-ever NJCAA
Division I national tournament appearance in her first season. She averaged
13.3 points and 7.3 rebounds during that freshman campaign and was named a
NJCAA All-American. Grayson averaged 21.9 points and 6.8 rebounds in an
injury-plagued sophomore season.
She joins third-year assistant coach Laphelia Doss on Daniels'
coaching staff.
"Austin Peay is so fortunate to have such a polished,
experienced, and articulate professional at the head of this program," said
Grayson. "I am so thankful to Coach Daniels for this opportunity I look forward
to working with her along with Coach Doss. Their passion for the game and their
professional reputation on and off the court speaks for itself.
"There has always been a tremendous devotion to Austin
Peay throughout the athletic department. And that devotion hasn't changed.
Everyone in the athletic department works tremendously hard in doing things the
right way. And they want what's best for this university. That truly solidified
my decision. And I will work hard at doing things the right way and make
decisions every day that is best for this university."
The Grayson File:
College Education -
Columbia State (A.S., Health and
Human Performance), 2002
Austin Peay (B.S. Health and
Human Performance), 2005
Valdosta State (M.Ed., Health and
Human Performance), 2007
Coaching Experience -
Austin Peay, assistant coach (2010-)
UT Martin, assistant coach (2007-10)
Valdosta State, graduate assistant
(2005-07)
- AP -