Trenia Tillis Hoard receives top DI coaching honor
Charlotte, NC – Tyler Junior College head coach Trenia Tillis Hoard has been named the 2022 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.
In her 22nd year at the helm, Hoard led the Apaches to a 28-8 overall record and the school's second NJCAA DI Women's Basketball National Championship title. In addition to taking home Tyler's 67th national title, Coach Hoard became the first African American women's head coach to win the title. Coach Hoard and her staff comprised of Chelsea Hudson and Brianna Brooks became the first all-women coaching staff and first all-African American staff in the NJCAA to claim the title.
"Consistent with the NJCAA motto of 'Opportunities Start Here,' Coach Hoard continues to pour into the student-athletes in our program and use athletics as an entryway to higher education and new possibilities for everybody in her program. We are honored to have her represent Tyler Junior College," said Athletic Director Kevin Vest.
Hoard was named the Coach of the Tournament after Tyler defeated Georgia Highlands, 92-80, in the championship game at the Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock, TX. Hoard coached three student-athletes that received tournament honors: Deborah Ogayemi, Tournament MVP; Shadiya Thomas, All-Tournament Team; and Taryn Wills, All-Tournament Team. Nadechka Laccen also received 2021-22 NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball All-America First Team recognition.
Coach Hoard recorded her 500th career victory earlier this season against Kilgore (TX), as the Apaches defeated the Lady Rangers, 75-72. The milestone commemorated Hoard as the second African American woman to reach 500 wins in the NJCAA. Former Miami Dade head coach women's basketball coach Susan Summons became the first African American woman to reach the milestone in the NJCAA.
"We are incredibly proud of Coach Hoard's accomplishments over the last 20 plus years at Tyler Junior College," said Vest. "[We] congratulate her on the wonderful coaching job that led to National Championship for the Apaches in 2022 and being named the NJCAA Division I Coach of the Year."
2021-22 Accomplishments
NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship title.
NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Coach of the Year.
NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship Coach of the Tournament.
Coached NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship Tournament MVP – Deborah Ogayemi.
Two NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team selections.
Coached NJCAA All-America First Team selection – Nadechka Laccen.
Reached milestone of 500 career wins.
