Women's Basketball
- Title:
- Head Coach
- Email:
- bishopl@sfasu.edu
- Phone:
- 936-468-4102
Named as the 10th Head Coach in Ladyjack Basketball history on April 14, 2023, Leonard enters his 9th season in the Piney Woods and enters his second season as Head Coach of the Ladyjacks.
In his first season overseeing the Ladyjack Basketball Program following the departure of former Head Coach Mark Kellogg to West Virginia, Leonard Bishop continued the winning legacy and tradition of Ladyjack Basketball left behind by Kellogg. Last season, Bishop guided the ‘Jacks to a 22-12 overall record and a 14-6 conference record, marking the eighth consecutive season the Ladyjacks have posted 20 or more wins as a program. However, the success for Bishop went far beyond the regular season record as Bishop led the Ladyjacks into the WAC Tournament in Las Vegas where SFA defeated Tarleton and Grand Canyon, before falling by just one point to eventual WAC champion CBU in the championship game. Bishop helped ensure the Sawmill continued to provide critical home-court advantage for the Ladyjacks as they posted a 12-4 home record last season.
While serving as the Ladyjacks Associate Head Coach, Leonard had 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”.
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.
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.”
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 | Graduate Assistant Coach-Men's Basketball
2009-10: Missouri Baptist University | Assistant Coach
Accomplishments
• 1 | All-WAC First Team
• 2 | WAC All-Defensive Team
• TABC Division I Women's Assistant Coach of the Year - 2019-20
• Terry Allen Award (2008)
• All-Lone Star Conference Honorable Mention
