Stephen Joyner, Jr. named new head women's basketball coach at Johnson C. Smith University

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Johnson C. Smith University announced Stephen Joyner, Jr., as the new head women's basketball coach on Thursday, July 5, during a news conference on campus.

Joyner, Jr., transitions from Winston-Salem State University to the Gold and Blue after two seasons as Rams head coach. During that time, his teams posted back-to-back winning seasons for an overall record of 35-21. Last season, Joyner Jr., coached his squad to the quarterfinals game of the CIAA Tournament and just missed a bid into the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Tournament.

“I am pleased to have Steve Joyner, Jr., join our Athletics staff as head women's basketball coach,” said JCSU President Ronald L. Carter. “Steve brings solid coaching experience in women's athletics. I look forward to his leadership as our women's basketball team continues to excel at their growing edge.”

Joyner, Jr., returns to his alma mater, where his roots are deeply planted, to lead the women's basketball program. A 2001 graduate of Johnson C. Smith University, Joyner, Jr., was also one of the top point guards in the CIAA during his Golden Bulls playing career.

Playing under the tutelage of his father, Stephen Joyner, Sr., Director of Athletics and a longtime head men's basketball coach at JCSU, Joyner, Jr., amassed 399 assists with an average of 4.53 assists per game during his final three seasons (1998-2001). During his senior campaign, JCSU captured the 2001 CIAA Tournament Championship, won the NCAA DII South Atlantic Regional title, and advanced to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight – all firsts in school history.

“Now that I'm here, the sky's the limit,” said the newly appointed head women's basketball coach. “Johnson C. Smith is a great environment and I'm confident that I will be provided with the support to continue to grow this program and maintain a high level of competitiveness.”

Following his playing career, Joyner, Jr., spent the 2001-02 season as an assistant men's basketball coach at Livingstone College under the guidance of his uncle and head coach, Ed Joyner, Sr. While at Livingstone College, Joyner, Jr., also served as an assistant men's basketball coach for the Charlotte Stars AAU team.

After his stint at Livingstone, Joyner, Jr., spent four seasons on the women's basketball coaching staff at North Carolina Central University (2002-06). Following his four seasons at NCCU and a brief coaching tenure at UNC-Asheville, Joyner, Jr., returned home to spend two seasons at JCSU, where he served as assistant coach for the women's basketball and women's cross country teams.

Joyner, Jr., then moved to the Division I ranks and spent two seasons (2008-10) as an assistant women's basketball coach at Florida A&M University. Alongside head coach LeDawn Gibson, Joyner, Jr., helped the Lady Rattlers reach a 32-28 record during his two-season span on the bench.

“Steve's knowledge of JCSU culture and his tie to his alma mater will be key assets as our women's basketball team rebuilds during the next few years,” said JCSU Athletics Director Steve Joyner, Sr., “He brings a solid set of credentials and experience at both the Division I and Division II levels. We're happy to have him join our coaching staff as we push our student-athletes to perform at the highest level in academics and in sports.”

Joyner, Jr., follows Moses Sharpe, Stephen Joyner, Sr., Hythia Evans, Barry Street, and Vanessa Taylor to become the sixth head coach of the JCSU women's basketball program.

COURTESY JOHNSON C. SMITH UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION