Gordon’s resume was too impressive for FAMU to pass up
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
Photo by St. Clair Murraine
By St. Clair Murraine
Outlook Staff Writer
There was no search committee, which is usually the case when FAMU has to look for a head coach.
A few individuals in FAMU’s human resources and general council offices took the lead along with Renaissance Search & Consulting. There just wasn’t enough time to tinker too much with finding the next head coach of the women’s basketball program, said Vice President & Director of Athletics Tiffani-Dawn Sykes.
“It was important to be quick, but thorough,” Sykes said at an introductory press conference last Friday. “I’m confident that we’ve found the right person to lead Rattler basketball.”
Once President Larry Robinson, Ph.D., and the 11 holdover players showed support for Bridgette Gordon as the choice to take over the program, Sykes moved to close the deal.
Gordon, who emerged from Miss Florida Basketball as a high school player in Lakeland to worldwide popularity, was introduced inside the Lawson Center where her team will play. Gordon was hired from News Mexico State, where she was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator.
“We know she had it in her DNA,” said Robinson. “I know she is going to bring all that (experience) to Florida A&M University. What we are impressed with most is that she understands why she is here, really looking at ways to advance these young ladies on the court and in the classroom.”
Gordon’s first official day is Aug. 14, as the replacement to Shalon Pillow, whose contract was allowed to expire after three years.
To understand how impressive the Gordon hire is, consider that she started her collegiate career at Tennessee, where she played on coach Pat Summit’s first team that won the NCAA championship in 1987, is a 1988 Olympic gold medalist on the US team, is a two-time Kodak and Naismith All-American and before her college career was over she’s played on four consecutive NCAA Final Four teams. Add to that being named SEC Female Athlete of the Year, and SEC Player of the Year in 1989 and being named to NCAA 25th anniversary team and Team of the Decade.
Her 23-year coaching career includes working on the collegiate and WNBA levels, but this is her first head coaching job. It is a dream come true, Gordon said.
“This moment reminds me of all the long talks I had with colleagues about one day being a head coach,” she said. “What better place than your own state, the state of Florida where I was born and raised. I’m so humbled for this chance. There is no place like home.
“I’m excited and I’m ready. I had a meeting with the girls and I told them I bring this energy every day. It never takes a day off. I’m ready to work with my team.”
In addition to recruiting four more players to make a 15-player roster, Gordon’s initial task includes building her staff of assistants. When all of that is in place, the focus will be on winning, she said.
Her team will have “one common goal of winning,” Gordon said. “Winning often, winning playoff games and winning conference championships. The goal is what drives you but the bond and everything else we go through in the process that’s what makes us.”
Her brand of ball will be defense oriented, Gordon said, adding that point guard play will be a big part of her offense.
She also made it known that teams scheduled to play in Lawson center shouldn’t come thinking victory is guaranteed.
“When teams come into this building, it’s going to be pressure,” Gordon said. “We are going to apply the pressure on offense and we’re going to apply the pressure on defense. Call us pressure. That’s our new name.”
GORDON’S COACHING RESUME
- Florida A&M (2023-present) head coach
- New Mexico State (2023) assistant coach/recruiting coordinator
- Cincinnati (2022-23) assistant coach
- Kansas State (2021-22) director of recruiting operations
- SMU (2019-21) assistant coach/recruiting coordinator
- Tennessee (2017-19) assistant coach
- Wichita State (2010-17) assistant coach
- Georgia State (2007-10) assistant coach
- WNBA (2006-07) regional scout
- Stetson (2004-06) assistant coach
