Leonard Bishop Named Head Women's Basketball Coach
4/14/2023 4:00:00 PM | Women's Basketball
The Bishop Era of Ladyjack Basketball has Begun
NACOGDOCHES, Texas- Athletics Director, Ryan Ivey, looks within and names current Ladyjack Basketball Associate Head Coach Leonard Bishop as the 10th Head Coach in the storied program's history. Leonard enters his 9th season in the Piney Woods now leading a program he has been instrumental in building over the last 8 seasons.
A press conference to introduce the next Ladyjack Basketball Head Coach is set for Tuesday, April 18, 2023, beginning at 12 p.m. inside the William R. Johnson Coliseum. There will be seating provided on the court and the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. The press conference will also be streamed on Facebook Live found on the SFA Athletics Facebook account.
"This is a great and historic day for our storied and rich Ladyjack basketball program, and all of SFA Athletics," Director of Athletics, Ryan Ivey, shared. "Our program is a national brand in women's college basketball. As such, it demanded that we initiate a thorough and exhaustive national search. As that search evolved over the last 10 days, it landed right back where we started, in Nacogdoches, and I couldn't be more excited and proud."
Most recently serving as the Ladyjacks Associate Head Coach, Leonard has been the architect of recent successes as his teams have worked to continue the winning tradition of Ladyjack basketball since his arrival. Entering his 9th season in the Sawmill, Coach Bishop leads a team coming off of a 27-7 season in 2022-23, a record-breaking 28-5 season in 2021-22 that resulted in winning both WAC League and WAC Tournament titles along with an NCAA tournament appearance and a stellar 24-3 campaign in 2020-21 that saw the Ladyjacks exit the Southland as both SLC League and SLC Tournament winners along with another NCAA tournament appearance. Over the last 8 seasons, the Ladyjacks have advanced to the postseason 6 consecutive times, including dominant performances in the NCAA first rounds against the University of North Carolina (2022) and Georgia Tech (2021) which came down to the wire in what may have called "instant classics".
"I am happy that Coach Bishop will be the next head coach of the Ladyjacks. He has prepared his entire life and I am convinced he will carry on the great legacy of our storied program, without pause," said SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook.
Developing players has been a strength of Coach Bishop's career having coached numerous All-Conference and All-Tournament players every place he has been. Leonard will now look to build on his current team and will continue to put his stamp on the Ladyjacks style of play and talent that walks the halls of the Sawmill for seasons to come. A native of Dallas, Texas, Bishop played college basketball at Three Rivers Community College, Collin County Community College and at Texas A&M-Commerce, graduating in 2008.
Ivey continued to say, "The past is historic, the present is exciting, and the future is bright for this iconic SFA women's basketball program. Coach Bishop has been an instrumental part of the sustained success model over the last 8 years, and I have no doubt that he will be able to move us forward and continue our momentum of success, while understanding and respecting the giants of the game that have come before him."
Leonard and his wife, Ashley, have three children -- Khendyn (Daughter), Leonard Bishop III (Son) & Khelsie (Daughter)
What Others Are Saying Around the Country:
Toyelle Wilson- SMU Head Coach Women's Basketball
"This is a significant hire by SFA in every way. The commitment, sacrifice, and hardwork Len has put into the program is unmatched. He will recruit student athletes who are committed both on and off the court while continuing to keep this program at a championship level. "
Mike Boynton- OSU Head Coach Men's Basketball
"I met Coach Bishop early on in his time as an assistant at SFA. He immediate struck me as a tremendous leader. His passion for teaching and developing young people through authentic relationship was impressive from the outset. The historic Ladyjack program is in great hands with Coach Bishop as the leader."
Krista Gerlich- Texas Tech Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Len is a great hire for Ryan Ivey and SFA! I love to see AD's recognize their own people's value and worth and elevate from within. Len is a well known recruiter across the state of Texas, has a great work ethic and has shown great loyalty throughout his career. I'm proud to know Len and look forward to watching him carry on the rich tradition of Lady Jack basketball."
Angie Nelp- Tulsa Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Coach Bishop is a rising star in our profession! He knows how to win and will continue to take SFA basketball to even greater heights. "
Mark Kellogg- WVU Head Coach Women's Basketball
"I have had the privilege of working side by side with Coach Bishop for the past eight years as we built SFA into one of the top mid major programs in the country. Coach Bishop has been involved in every part of the program which has prepared him to be a tremendous head coach. He is a first class person in every way and possesses all the qualities of a successful head coach."
Jason Burton-UNT Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Basketball is in his DNA, from a historic high school run to championships as a college coach, Len Bishop is made for this. He is ready to be a head coach. He's an elite recruiter, he knows the game inside and out, has great temperament, and was born to lead. He is ready to lead a division 1 college program."
MEDIA ADVISORY - Media are invited to attend the Introductory Press Conference on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 12 pm in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Contact Jay Lucas at jay.lucas@sfasu.edu or Amanda Paver at amanda.paver@sfasu.edu for additional questions.
The Bishop File
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
High School: Dallas Lincoln High School
Colleges: Three Rivers Community College, Collin County Community College, Texas A&M-Commerce (2008)
Family: Ashley (Wife), Khendyn (Daughter), Leonard Bishop III (Son), & Khelsie (Daughter)
Coaching Experience
2023-Present: SFA | Head Coach
2016-2023: SFA | Associate Head Coach
2012-15: Texas A&M Commerce | Assistant Coach-Women's Basketball
2010-11: Texas A&M Commerce | Assistant Coach-Men's Basketball
2009-10: Missouri Baptist University | Assistant Coach
Accomplishments
• TABC Division I Women's Assistant Coach of the Year - 2019-20
• Terry Allen Award (2008)
• All-Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention
A press conference to introduce the next Ladyjack Basketball Head Coach is set for Tuesday, April 18, 2023, beginning at 12 p.m. inside the William R. Johnson Coliseum. There will be seating provided on the court and the doors will open at 11:30 a.m. The press conference will also be streamed on Facebook Live found on the SFA Athletics Facebook account.
"This is a great and historic day for our storied and rich Ladyjack basketball program, and all of SFA Athletics," Director of Athletics, Ryan Ivey, shared. "Our program is a national brand in women's college basketball. As such, it demanded that we initiate a thorough and exhaustive national search. As that search evolved over the last 10 days, it landed right back where we started, in Nacogdoches, and I couldn't be more excited and proud."
Most recently serving as the Ladyjacks Associate Head Coach, Leonard has been the architect of recent successes as his teams have worked to continue the winning tradition of Ladyjack basketball since his arrival. Entering his 9th season in the Sawmill, Coach Bishop leads a team coming off of a 27-7 season in 2022-23, a record-breaking 28-5 season in 2021-22 that resulted in winning both WAC League and WAC Tournament titles along with an NCAA tournament appearance and a stellar 24-3 campaign in 2020-21 that saw the Ladyjacks exit the Southland as both SLC League and SLC Tournament winners along with another NCAA tournament appearance. Over the last 8 seasons, the Ladyjacks have advanced to the postseason 6 consecutive times, including dominant performances in the NCAA first rounds against the University of North Carolina (2022) and Georgia Tech (2021) which came down to the wire in what may have called "instant classics".
"I am happy that Coach Bishop will be the next head coach of the Ladyjacks. He has prepared his entire life and I am convinced he will carry on the great legacy of our storied program, without pause," said SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook.
Developing players has been a strength of Coach Bishop's career having coached numerous All-Conference and All-Tournament players every place he has been. Leonard will now look to build on his current team and will continue to put his stamp on the Ladyjacks style of play and talent that walks the halls of the Sawmill for seasons to come. A native of Dallas, Texas, Bishop played college basketball at Three Rivers Community College, Collin County Community College and at Texas A&M-Commerce, graduating in 2008.
Ivey continued to say, "The past is historic, the present is exciting, and the future is bright for this iconic SFA women's basketball program. Coach Bishop has been an instrumental part of the sustained success model over the last 8 years, and I have no doubt that he will be able to move us forward and continue our momentum of success, while understanding and respecting the giants of the game that have come before him."
Leonard and his wife, Ashley, have three children -- Khendyn (Daughter), Leonard Bishop III (Son) & Khelsie (Daughter)
What Others Are Saying Around the Country:
Toyelle Wilson- SMU Head Coach Women's Basketball
"This is a significant hire by SFA in every way. The commitment, sacrifice, and hardwork Len has put into the program is unmatched. He will recruit student athletes who are committed both on and off the court while continuing to keep this program at a championship level. "
Mike Boynton- OSU Head Coach Men's Basketball
"I met Coach Bishop early on in his time as an assistant at SFA. He immediate struck me as a tremendous leader. His passion for teaching and developing young people through authentic relationship was impressive from the outset. The historic Ladyjack program is in great hands with Coach Bishop as the leader."
Krista Gerlich- Texas Tech Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Len is a great hire for Ryan Ivey and SFA! I love to see AD's recognize their own people's value and worth and elevate from within. Len is a well known recruiter across the state of Texas, has a great work ethic and has shown great loyalty throughout his career. I'm proud to know Len and look forward to watching him carry on the rich tradition of Lady Jack basketball."
Angie Nelp- Tulsa Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Coach Bishop is a rising star in our profession! He knows how to win and will continue to take SFA basketball to even greater heights. "
Mark Kellogg- WVU Head Coach Women's Basketball
"I have had the privilege of working side by side with Coach Bishop for the past eight years as we built SFA into one of the top mid major programs in the country. Coach Bishop has been involved in every part of the program which has prepared him to be a tremendous head coach. He is a first class person in every way and possesses all the qualities of a successful head coach."
Jason Burton-UNT Head Coach Women's Basketball
"Basketball is in his DNA, from a historic high school run to championships as a college coach, Len Bishop is made for this. He is ready to be a head coach. He's an elite recruiter, he knows the game inside and out, has great temperament, and was born to lead. He is ready to lead a division 1 college program."
MEDIA ADVISORY - Media are invited to attend the Introductory Press Conference on Tuesday, April 18th, 2023 at 12 pm in the William R. Johnson Coliseum. Contact Jay Lucas at jay.lucas@sfasu.edu or Amanda Paver at amanda.paver@sfasu.edu for additional questions.
The Bishop File
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
High School: Dallas Lincoln High School
Colleges: Three Rivers Community College, Collin County Community College, Texas A&M-Commerce (2008)
Family: Ashley (Wife), Khendyn (Daughter), Leonard Bishop III (Son), & Khelsie (Daughter)
Coaching Experience
2023-Present: SFA | Head Coach
2016-2023: SFA | Associate Head Coach
2012-15: Texas A&M Commerce | Assistant Coach-Women's Basketball
2010-11: Texas A&M Commerce | Assistant Coach-Men's Basketball
2009-10: Missouri Baptist University | Assistant Coach
Accomplishments
• TABC Division I Women's Assistant Coach of the Year - 2019-20
• Terry Allen Award (2008)
• All-Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention
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