NORFOLK, Va. – Three Norfolk State basketball coaches will represent the university at "The Next Up," an upcoming basketball conference aiming to help young minority men's and women's basketball coaches gain opportunities to advance their careers.
 
Norfolk State men's basketball head coach Robert Jones and associate head coach Jamal Brown have been selected to attend the conference, as well as NSU women's basketball associate head coach Trinese Fox.
 
Hosted by Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin and North Carolina Central men's basketball head coach LeVelle Moton, the conference aims to connect Black and minority coaches with influential leaders and executives throughout college athletics. It will take place from May 30-31 in Raleigh, N.C.
 
"It's an honor and a blessing to be invited to The Next Up coaches conference," Fox said. "I appreciate LeVelle Moton and Mike Tomlin for creating this space and opportunity for myself and others to connect, network, and grow. I'm beyond excited to get down there and learn!"
 
Both the Norfolk State men's and women's basketball programs are coming off stellar seasons.
 
The women's team, led by MEAC Player of the Year Kierra Wheeler and Newcomer of the Year Diamond Johnson, won its second consecutive MEAC Tournament title this March. The Spartans earned their third-ever bid to the NCAA Tournament, facing Stanford in the first round.
 
The Norfolk State men secured the 2024 outright MEAC regular season crown, posting an 11-3 record in conference play. Advancing to the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT) final, the Spartans erased an 18-point deficit to end their season with an emphatic victory.
 
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