Dawn Staley, the esteemed head coach of South Carolina, made history in 2021 by dividing the net from South Carolina’s 2017 national championship and distributing pieces to 70 Black women coaches. This gesture paid homage to Carolyn Peck, the first Black woman to win a national title in 1999, and served as a symbol of empowerment.
In 2022, Arkansas State University appointed Destinee Rogers as its first Black female head coach in any sport. During her announcement, Rogers held up her piece of Staley’s net, signifying the continuation of this legacy. Just three years later, she cut down her own championship net.
Under Rogers’ leadership, the Red Wolves defied expectations by defeating top-seeded James Madison in the Sun Belt Conference tournament, securing their first NCAA Tournament berth. “I feel privileged to have the chance to pave the way for others,” Rogers stated. “When young Black women see my journey, they’ll understand that they, too, can achieve their dreams. I take immense pride in being the first Black head coach here, representing Arkansas, and showing that we belong at the table.”
Destinee Rogers: Building a Championship Contender at Arkansas State
At just 35 years old, Rogers has deep roots in Arkansas sports. She played at Central Arkansas and later started her coaching career there, helping lead the team to its first NCAA Division I Tournament appearance. Fate intervened when Arkansas State’s head coach stepped down in 2021, and Rogers took over, winning her debut game with an 81-47 victory over Mississippi Valley State. Months later, she was named head coach, holding onto Staley’s gifted net.
“I am guided by my faith, believing that my path has been laid out for a reason,” Rogers said. “When I first saw this team, I envisioned a championship in our future.” Transforming Arkansas State into a contender wasn’t easy. After two seasons of 13 wins, she overhauled the roster, retaining three key players while bringing in nine transfers to fit her fast-paced playing style. “We lacked the personnel to play at a fast pace before, so I focused on finding players who could shoot from multiple levels,” Rogers explained.
Her strategy paid off. The Red Wolves became one of the best 3-point shooting teams in women’s college basketball, ranking second nationally in 3-point rate. Their defense also excelled, forcing 16 turnovers in the championship game against James Madison, leading to an overtime victory. “They hadn’t faced us before, and our unorthodox style could catch opponents off guard,” Rogers said. “This team plays without fear.”
With six key players returning next season, Rogers is already looking ahead. “To achieve success, we prioritize experience. We actively recruit from the transfer portal and plan to continue doing so to maintain our momentum.” As one of the youngest head coaches in NCAA Division I, Rogers believes that the net she cut down in Pensacola is just the beginning of her journey.
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