Fill out our Daily Orange reader survey to make our paper better


Women's basketball

Felisha Legette-Jack makes Naismith National Coach of the Year Late-Season Watchlist

Arnav Pokhrel | Staff Photographer

Felisha Legette-Jack has been named to the Naismith Trophy Late Season Watchlist for National Coach of the Year. She’s led Syracuse to a 22-4 record thus far in her second year at the helm.

Get the latest Syracuse news delivered right to your inbox. Subscribe to our sports newsletter here.

Syracuse women’s basketball head coach Felisha Legette-Jack has been named to the Naismith National Coach of the Year late-season watchlist, per an SU Athletics social media post. Legette-Jack is one of 15 coaches to be recognized on the watchlist and it’s her first-ever appearance on it.

In just her second year at the helm of Syracuse, Legette-Jack has spurred a program turnaround. After a 20-win 2022-23 campaign, where the Orange made it to the Women’s National Invitation Tournament Super 16, SU has gone 22-4 thus far in 2023-24 and is ranked No. 17 in the AP Poll, its highest position under Legette-Jack.

A season sweep over an elite program in Notre Dame, a team the Orange have only defeated five times in their history, and marquee wins over Louisville and Florida State, among others, have thrust SU into the No. 2 seed in the Atlantic Coast Conference with three games to play in the regular season. ESPN Bracketology has the Orange as a No. 4 seed in the NCAA Tournament, which would allow them to host first and second round contests at the JMA Wireless Dome.

It’s been a historic season for Syracuse under Legette-Jack, highlighted by its national standing and the performance of Dyaisha Fair. The point guard has played for Legette-Jack for each of the past five seasons (they were together at Buffalo from 2019-2022) and is currently 27 points away from passing Brittney Griner for fifth place all-time in scoring in women’s college basketball history.



Leading by her mantra of “our family versus your team,” Legette-Jack has sparked a dramatic return to the upper echelon of the ACC and college basketball itself. In just year two, SU has stood out as a potential team to beat in the loaded conference and Legette-Jack is receiving national treatment for her coaching performance.

banned-books-01





Top Stories