Jackson State has announced former Alabama A&M head coach Margaret Richards as the new head coach of the Jackson State Lady Tigers, per a statement released Wednesday afternoon.

Jackson State Vice President and Director of Athletics Ashely Robinson said in the statement about the hire of Richards, “I am excited to welcome Margaret Richards to Jackson State as our next head women's basketball coach. She is no stranger to the Southwestern Athletic Conference and success. While she has been in the conference, she has taken a program from the bottom of the standings to a contender and when you look at leaders of your program that's what you want. Our program has been at the top of the conference for the last five years and we want to stay there, and I believe that we have brought in the right person to do just that.”

Richards was appreciative of the opportunity to lead Jackson State's women's basketball program in the statement, saying, “I want to thank President Marcus Thompson and Vice President/AD Ashley Robinson for giving me this amazing opportunity to serve as the head women's basketball coach at Jackson State University. When you look at the landscape of our sport in the Southwestern Athletic Conference, the standard over the last five years has been Jackson State. I am humbled, and honored, to be given this opportunity to serve the young women of our program and the Jackson State community. I understand the expectations and can't wait to get to work.”

Richards most recently coached Alabama A&M for eight seasons before stepping down following the season, eventually being replaced by former University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff head coach Dawn Thornton. She accepted a position as an assistant coach at Mercer University shortly after her departure from the Bulldogs under newly hired head women's basketball coach Michelle Clark-Heard. She then departed the Mercer position to take over the Tigers in a little under a month, as she was announced to join Clark-Heard's staff on April 10.

She released a statement after stepping down from her position at Alabama A&M, saying, “It has been one heck of a ride these past 8 years in Normal!! Alabama A&M has been a great place for me! I will be forever grateful for the growth, support, friendships, family, and impact I was able to make over the years. I would like to thank the amazing alumni and Bulldog fans for your support and all the players that believed in me to help turn the program around and achieved historic success!! I learned a lot and I grew as a leader!! I will always cherish the wonderful memories on the hill!!! I wish Alabama A&M the best and will be forever thankful for the opportunity it afforded me. The Bulldog community will always have a special place in my heart!!”

Last season, the Lady Bulldogs wrapped up with a 15-16 record, ending in the first round of the SWAC Tournament. Alabama A&M, seeded #5, faced off against #4 seed Arkansas-Pine Bluff, led by future Alabama A&M head coach Dawn Thornton. Alabama A&M achieved a solid 10-8 record, securing wins against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Florida A&M, Bethune-Cookman in double overtime, and rival Alabama State.

Richards aims to build on the accomplishments established by Tomekia Reed during her time with the program. Reed steered Jackson State to significant achievements, including three NCAA Tournament appearances in 2021, 2022, and 2024, as well as clinching multiple SWAC Championships. Furthermore, two of her former players, Ameshya Williams-Holliday and Angel Jackson from Jackson State, were selected in the WNBA draft – Williams-Holliday by the Indiana Fever in 2022 and Jackson by the two-time reigning WNBA Champion Las Vegas Aces in 2024.