Photo: Grambling State University new Head Women's Basketball Coach, Donnita Drain. (Photo Courtesy of Langston University SID).
Grambling State University has hired a gem of a coach in Donnita Drain, from NAIA Langston University in Oklahoma. Drain will serve the GSU Tigers as head women's basketball coach.
Here is what the Langston University Sports Information director has to say about Coach Drain...
Drain served 13 years at the reigns for the Langston University Lady Lions Basketball Team, where she launched herself into LU athletics history. She has led the Lady Lions to five national championship appearances, twice been named conference Coach of the Year, coached three professional athletes, three All-Americans, four Academic All-Americans, and has completed eight consecutive winning seasons at ‘Dear Langston.’ Her teams have recorded four 20 win seasons and one 30 win season.
Drain graduated from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health and Physical Education and an endorsement in Biology. She obtained her Masters degree in Education Administration from Texas A&M University of Commerce, Texas.
While attending NWOSU, Drain made a name for herself on the basketball court. She received honors such as the NAIA National Player of the Week, OIC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year, OIC and District IX All-Conference Teams, and was the Northwestern Ranger Queen in 1988.
At the time of her graduation, she was her university’s all-time leading scorer in men’s or women’s basketball. Drain was inducted into Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s Athletic Hall of Fame in January of 1998.
Drain has more wins than any other coach in Langston University Women’s Basketball history with 244 wins.
Photo: Coach Drain workplace will be one of the finest facilities in the Southwestern Athletic Conference. (Photo Courtesy of Kevin M. Robinson Photography)
Coach Drain also served as a court coach for the 2007 USA Basketball Women’s National Teams Trials, which determined finalists for three USA Basketball squads– the U19 World Championship Team, U21 World Championship Team and Pan American Games Team.
Drain’s 2006-2007 squad was two points away from making a trip to the Final Four of the NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Tournament. They finished the season with a perfect 18-0 record in conference play and produced the RRAC Player of the Year in Matalya McBath-Belvin, and the RRAC Defensive Player of the Year in Teneisha McKinney.
The spectacular performances by her team also got her named the RRAC Coach of the Year for the second time in her career.
On January 6, 2007, Drain hit the 200th win of her career against Huston-Tillotson University.
The Taloga, Okla. native is an active member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association and the Orange and Blue Booster Club. She established Langston University’s first summer basketball camp program, as well as two other sport camps in Western Oklahoma.
Grambling State should see fewer blowouts from opponents on their home court under Coach Donnita Drain. (Photo Courtesy of Kevin M. Robinson Photography).
I'm Impressed with this Hire!
Grambling fans should send director of athletics Troy Mathieu a big check for displaying exceptional wisdom in the selection of Coach Donnita Drain, as the new women's basketball coach. This hire makes women's basketball in the SWAC a two horse race with Prairie View.
However, with five national championship appearances on her resume, Coach Drain will have the Tigers as a force on the national level after 2-3 recruiting classes. This lady can flatout coach!We tip our cap to Mr. Mathieu for hiring a college basketball future hall of famer that's on her way to a 500 win career. When was the last time you saw a 30 win season posted by an HBCU? This should be a very smooth transition for Coach Drain moving from the NAIA Division I to the NCAA Division I level.
Congratulations Grambling State University on a great hire!
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(L) Head Coach Donnita Drain; (R) Sophomore forward Secrett Anderson, a transfer from Florida A&M 2006-07 team, was the game high scorer.
First-year women's basketball coach Donnita Drain made a successful debut as the Grambling State University Lady Tigers captured a 91-63 exhibition win over Huston-Tillotson on Sunday afternoon in the Assembly Center. With eight newcomers receiving extensive action in the first half, it took some time for the Lady Tigers to establish an offensive rhythm as Huston-Tillotson managed to claim an early 16-15 lead at the 10:36 mark. However, the tide of the contest began to change as Grambling went on a 13-0 run that was sparked by newcomers Rachele Dobbins and Secrett Anderson. From that point, Grambling never looked back as they closed out the first half ahead 47-37.
