Courtesy of Howard University Athletic Media Relations
WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 3, 2021 -- Howard University head women's basketball coach Ty Grace has announced two hires to complete her staff for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
Jeanne-Marie Wilson will join the staff as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. In addition, Margaree King Richard will join the team as Director of Basketball Operations.
"I'm excited to welcome both Margaree and Jeanne to the Bison family," Grace said. "Their energy, knowledge, and passion will be integral in the success of our program. I know they will have a positive impact our young women and the entire Howard community."
Wilson returns home to the DMV, a Prince George County native, joins the Bison after a three-year stint as an assistant coach at Texas A&M-Commerce.
During the 2019-20 season, Wilson helped lead the Lions to 28-3, tying the program's record for the most wins in a single season. As a result, the team qualified for the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive season.
Wilson assisted with four consecutive winning seasons and three 20+ win seasons.
During the 2017-18 season, Wilson helped the Mavericks to a 20-11 record and a Region VI playoff berth. In addition, Wilson helped coach Tran Brown, who was named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) JUCO All-American Honorable Mention after the 2017-18 season.
Before her time at NWKTC, Wilson worked as an intern for the Office of Sports Information at Shaw University while completing her Master's degree in Athletic Administration at North Carolina Central University.
A 2015 graduate of Saint Augustine's, Wilson earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sport Management. As a three-year letter winner for the Lady Falcons women's basketball team, Wilson served as the starting guard and earned the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) All-Rookie Team during the 2012-13 season as three CIAA Team Highest GPA Awards for women's basketball during her tenure. She averaged 9.1 points, 3.6 rebounds, 1.1 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
During her four years at Crossland High School in Temple Hills, Md., Wilson was a McDonald's All-American nominee, First Team All-Met recipient, and a Player of the Year recipient.
Wilson is a native of Prince Georges County, Md.
"Jeanne is a rising star in the business. She brings great energy and a tremendous passion for recruiting. Her ability to develop positive relationships with people is a characteristic you can't teach." Grace said. "I'm glad she is bringing her enthusiasm and knowledge to our program. I know she will be successful and impactful to the young woman here at Howard. I'm excited for her opportunity to come back home to the DMV."
King Richard comes to the Mecca after serving as an assistant coach for Army West Point women's basketball program. A former defensive standout for the Black Knights, Richard served various roles throughout her Army tenure, which spanned over a decade before retiring at the rank of major in April 2020. Margaree served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn., for three and a half years. She previously deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan, during 2010-11 and 2013-14 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. There, she supported over 200 tactical missions.
In addition to her Army career, King Richard has taken on several coaching responsibilities. Her most recent endeavor was serving as the head coach of the high school and middle school girls' basketball teams at the Clarksville Christian School from May 2016-April 2020. Tasked with the challenge of coaching a newly established program, King Richard brought Clarksville Christian to prominence as the team captured three consecutive Tennessee Christian Athletic Association Girls High School & Middle School titles from 2018-20. King Richard also served as the head coach for multiple AAU teams. Additionally, she was the co-owner of Hustle Hard Athletics. This company specialized in providing a holistic approach to sports-specific training for the youth of Clarksville, TN, at all levels.
As a member of the Black Knights, King Richard earned a reputation as a player with a strong presence on defense, earning Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year as a senior in 2008. She was an integral part of an Army defense that ranked 20th in the nation in scoring defense in the regular season of her final year, allowing just 55.7 points per game. She was a member of the 2005-06 team, the first Army squad to claim the Patriot League title and advance to the NCAA Tournament.
After graduating from the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, King Richard remained at West Point for the 2008-09 academic year, participating in its athletic intern program. She assisted with the strength and conditioning staff, working with numerous teams, including women's basketball.
"I'm extremely excited to welcome Margaree (Redd) to the Bison family as Director of Basketball Operations. As a player at The United States Military Academy (Army), I was honored to coach Redd, and she has a tremendous passion and love for the game," Grace said. "I know she will bring the same passion to this position and the program. She is an organized, bright, and diligent individual. I'm very excited to see her grow in this role while leading and impacting this generation of student-athletes."
The 2021-22 women's basketball season tips off in November.