Small named Women’s Basketball Head Coach at Jackson State Community College

JACKSON, TENN. – Jackson State Community College (JSCC) Director of Athletics Dr. Kevin K. Lynum has announced the hiring of Garner Small as the next Head Coach for the Women's Basketball program, following a highly competitive national search; attracting one of the largest applicant pools in the college's history. 

Small brings an impressive Division I background to the program, formerly serving as an Assistant Coach at the University of Memphis where he contributed to all aspects of a nationally competitive program in the American Athletic Conference that included player development, recruiting, scouting, and game strategy. 

"We are excited to welcome Coach Garner Small to the Green Jay family," said Dr. Lynum. "From the very beginning of this process, it was clear that he is a winner, a high-character leader, and someone who understands what it takes to build and sustain success. I'm looking forward to what the future holds for our women's basketball program under Coach Smalls direction and encourage our fans to come see the impact he makes for our institution this season and beyond." 

Prior to Memphis, Small served as an Assistant Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at the University of Tennessee at Martin, where he helped develop multiple All-Conference players and played a key role in recruiting and program operations at the Division I level. 

He also spent four seasons as the Associate Head Coach at Gardner-Webb University, where he helped lead the program to continued success in the Big South Conference, including a conference championship and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. During his tenure, the program produced multiple All-Conference selections and established itself as a consistent contender. 

Small's 12-year coaching career also includes experience in the Southeastern Conference at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss), where he served in a scouting and video operations role under then-head coach Matt Insell, now the head coach at Middle Tennessee State University. 

"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to lead the women's basketball program at Jackson State," said Small. "I want to thank Dr. Lynum and the administration for their belief in me. I am excited to build a program centered on discipline, development, and winning—on the court, in the classroom, and in the community." 

Known for his strong recruiting ties, player development expertise, and analytical approach to the game, Small is widely respected for his ability to develop guards and implement high-level scouting and game strategies. 

His hiring signals a new era for Green Jay Women's Basketball, as the program looks to compete at the highest level within TCCAA and beyond. 

"This is about raising the standard," added Lynum. "We are building something special at Jackson State, and Coach Small is the right leader to take this program to new heights." 

Coach Small will be available for comment on May 13 during a press conference at 1 p.m., held inside The Nest (Gymnasium) on the Jackson campus of Jackson State Community College.