Birmingham, AL. The Rising Coaches Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alliance is pleased to announce the finalist for the "Next Up" Head Coaches Training Initiative. Representing Virginia State University Athletics is men's basketball assistant coach. Drew Williamson.
The organizations that make up the Rising Coaches DEI Alliance each nominated coaches for the opportunity to participate in a workshop with sports search consultant Katy Young Staudt. Katy Young Staudt was recently named a Top 40 under 40 in college basketball by The Athletic. "There are a number of rising stars in our business and I am honored to be able to provide advice and expertise to help advance their careers" said Staudt. "If we are truly going to impact the game in a positive way, we must take the right action steps to get there and helping prepare coaches to win the interview is one of the most important steps in the coaching search process." Staudt has led basketball searches for Texas Tech, Washington State, Cal Berkley, and Cleveland State just to name a few.
Coach Williamson arrived to VSU in 2013 to assist with the Trojans men's basketball team. In 7 seasons at Virginia State, Williamson has helped lead the Trojans to 6 consecutive Northern Division titles, 2 conference tournament championships, and 4 NCAA tournament appearances with an average of 21 wins per season.
Of the nominees, 12 coaches were selected by a DEI committee to participate in the Next Up Training Initiative, which is scheduled to take place in December 2020. "I want to thank all the organizations and the nominees. They all presented themselves exceptionally well and have bright futures as head coaches" stated Darryl Jacobs, Executive Director for the Rising Coaches DEI Alliance. "I commend the DEI staff of Kym Hampton and Brian Burton for their hard work and commitment in the selection process." The finalists for "Next Up" are…

1. Ben Johnson – Xavier – Coaches For Action
2. TJ Cleveland – St. Johns – Coaches For Action
3. Scott Garson – Santa Clara – Jewish Coaches Association
4. Joy Smith – Clemson – Rising Coaches
5. Marlon Stewart – Oregon State – Rising Coaches
6. Amorrow Morgan – South Alabama – embRACEus
7. Mike Mennenga – Oregon – Coaches 4 Change
8. Ganiyat Adeduntan – George Washington – Women of Color Coaches Network
9. Taja Edwards – Loyola Marymount – Women of Color Coaches Network
10. Brandin Knight – Rutgers – Minority Coaches Association
11. Sheila Boykin – Cal State Northridge - Latino Association of Basketball Coaches
12. Drew Williamson – Virginia State – Black Coaches Association

The Rising Coaches DEI Alliance is made up of a dozen different minority coaches and social justice organizations. Their mission is to use their platform as leaders in sports to impact change in the profession and their communities. For more information visit www.risingcoaches.com/DEI-alliance
For more information on VSU Athletics and Men's Basketball, follow Trojan Athletics on Twitter @VSUsports and on Instagram VSUtrojans_1882.