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A-State's new interim head women's basketball coach makes history

A-State Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach Destinee Rogers on her first night in the role helped lead the Red Wolves to a 81-47 victory against Mississippi Valley State on December 14.
Arkansas State Athletics
A-State Interim Head Women's Basketball Coach Destinee Rogers on her first night in the role helped lead the Red Wolves to a 81-47 victory against Mississippi Valley State on December 14.

A-State Athletics has announced that Red Wolves' Women's Associate Head Coach Destinee Rogers will temporarily take over for Matt Daniel.

Vice Chancellor for Intercollegiate Athletics Tom Bowen made the announcement on December 14 after Daniel announced he was resigning as the head coach about a day earlier.

“Destinee Rogers is obviously extremely familiar with our program and has developed outstanding relationships with our student-athletes as a valuable member of our women’s basketball coaching staff the last three seasons,” said Bowen.  “We are thankful to have someone with her experience, leadership abilities and coaching skills to serve as our interim head coach.  With over half of our schedule yet to be played, including the entire Sun Belt Conference portion, we are excited to see this team continue their season under her leadership.”

Rogers, who is in her third season with the Red Wolves, lead the team in their 81-47 victory against Mississippi Valley State Tuesday night. Officials say the win made her the first African-American woman to win a game as an A-State head coach.

Rogers came to A-State in the 2019-2020 season after spending 3 seasons as Central Arkansas' assistant coach. She also played for Central Arkansas while earning her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Sciences in 2012 and a Master of Science in Health Sciences in 2014.

A three-year starter at UCA as a student-athlete, Rogers finished her playing career averaging 7.4 points, 3.2 assists and 2.3 rebounds per game with more than 100 3-point field goals to her credit.

“I want to thank Tom Bowen for the opportunity to serve as the interim head coach this season,” said Rogers.  “While I am excited for the opportunity, this moment is not about me.  This moment is about being the very best that myself and our staff can be for the 13 wonderful young ladies on this team.  We will work diligently towards doing what we think is right and what is best to lead this team to success.”

Daniel of Jonesboro was in his third season as head coach for the Red Wolves. He said in a statement that his decision to resign was in he and his family's "best interest"

A Northeast Arkansas native from Wynne, I’ve been involved with radio for about 15 years. I got my Bachelor of Arts degree from Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, where I also served as an award-winning News Director for 2 years at KSWH-LP.