The Virginia State University Women’s Basketball team experienced many changes this off season. They experienced a hiring of a new athletic director, coaching changes, and losing a majority of the players from the previous season. With the hiring of a new head coach, Milette Green, they also obtained a new assistant coach as well, Kiera Howard. She joined the team in the summer of 2025. Despite the new changes, the Trojans are still looking to make it back to the CIAA Championship and win it all this year.
The exciting part about the hiring of the new assistant coach is that this is her first collegiate coaching job. Georgia native, Coach Kiera Howard played at Augusta University for five years. During her time at Augusta, Howard led her team in assists four of her five seasons, was a consistent starter, and even scored 1000 points in her career. Howard played for current Virginia State head coach, Milette Green, while she was at Augusta. As this is her first collegiate job she hopes to bring the leadership and competitiveness she was as a player on the sidelines.
“This was a huge opportunity, one I knew I couldn’t pass up. I saw it as a great starting point for my coaching journey,” Howard said. “Getting the chance to learn and grow under Coach Green, my former head coach.”
She states that the biggest adjustment coming to VSU was being away from family but working alongside an amazing athletic staff has made every sacrifice worth it. She credits Green’s mentorship on how she is able to find her own coaching voice and adapt to this journey.
“When you have a great head coach that wants to see you grow, finding your coaching voice is easy,” Howard said.
Howard plans to provide the same mentorship to the players she coaches.
“Over the past few years, I’ve learned that my story carries value,” Howard said. “Being able to share my journey with athletes and use my experiences to help them is truly a blessing. Every day is an opportunity to lead by example and show them what’s possible.”
Howard’s former teammate, Michaela Lane, now one of her players expressed the mentorship Howard brings.
“I think she does a great job connecting with us. She brings the same energy everyday and forces us to get better,” Lane said.
As a new assistant coach, Howard brings more than coaching to the team.
“She’s always been someone I can count on no matter what. She gives the best advice and she keeps it real with whoever,” Lane said. “She makes sure to portray a coach that will connect with you on a personal level while pushing you to be the best version of yourself.”
The role of being coach is completely different than being a player but Howard knows this career was for her. There’s so much that happens behind the scenes.
“The level of sacrifice and energy they pour into their players and the game is humbling,” Howard said. “This experience has already given me a whole new layer of the game to love. I did not think I would be coaching today, but I know this is what I am supposed to be doing.”
She is starting to understand the behind the scenes of the game and it is deepening her love for basketball.
Coach Milette Green took a chance on her former player to help lead the lady Trojans back to the CIAA championship. The hiring of coach Kiera Howard will be a good decision for the program as well as for Howard. She has proven to leave an impact on the people around her by the testament of her former teammate, Michaela Lane. Howard is growing everyday to be the best version of herself for the team.
“She definitely has opened up a lot which its it easier for her to be more approachable,” Lane said.
The growth she is experiencing and the willingness to adapt to the coaching life will be a good recipe for Virginia State’s season.
