It did not take long for Texas A&M-Corpus Christi to find its new head women’s basketball coach.
Eight days after Royce Chadwick announced his retirement, former SMU head coach Toyelle Wilson was named the fifth head coach in Islanders basketball history.
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Wilson spent four seasons at SMU and owns a career mark of 110-107 with five postseason appearances in her seven seasons as a head coach.
“I am absolutely honored to be named the next head coach at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi,” Wilson said in a news release. “This position is an incredible opportunity, and I am grateful to lead such a remarkable program. … I am a person of faith, fit and feel, and immediately when I started talking with them it checked every box in what I was looking for in my next coaching opportunity.
“I also want to acknowledge and thank coach Royce Chadwick for his years of leadership and dedication to Islanders women’s basketball. I am eager to carry that legacy forward while focusing on the development of our student-athletes both on and off the court. I look forward to connecting with the Islanders community, our amazing fans and the players as we embark on this exciting journey together.”
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In addition to her time as a head coach at SMU, Wilson led Prairie View A&M to three consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances and two SWAC Coach of the Year honors along with stints as an assistant at Prairie View, Michigan, Baylor and Robert Morris.
While Wilson was on the staff at Baylor under Hall of Fame coach Kim Mulkey, the Bears won the 2019 national championship, including four Elite Eight appearances and the team had 10 players drafted in the WNBA.
“Toyelle Wilson is a visionary leader who perfectly embodies the values and aspirations we want for our Islanders Women’s Basketball program,” Texas A&M-Corpus Christi vice president of intercollegiate athletics Adrian Rodriguez said in the release. “Her championship pedigree as both a head and assistant coach speaks for itself, but it’s her character, dedication, and clear vision for our student-athletes that truly distinguish her. Wilson has consistently championed academic excellence, community involvement, and the comprehensive growth of student-athletes throughout her career.
“As a mentor, motivator and culture-builder, she’s exactly the kind of leader we need to guide the Islanders into a bold new era. With Toyelle at the helm, the future of Islanders women’s basketball is incredibly bright, and I am ecstatic to welcome her and her family to the Island.”
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Wilson played at Manhattan College, helping the Jaspers earn an NCAA tournament berth in 2003. She will assume her role immediately and will be introduced at a news conference scheduled for 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 15.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Toyelle Wilson named new Islanders women’s basketball coach
