Jada Pierce has announced her resignation as head coach of Niagara University's women's basketball team, a role she held since 2015. Under her leadership, the Purple Eagles earned back-to-back WNIT appearances and achieved their best MAAC finishes in over 30 years. Pierce's tenure was marked by significant player achievements, including multiple All-MAAC honors and individual accolades such as MAAC Player of the Year. The team excelled defensively, leading the NCAA in key statistics and developing a strong academic record among athletes. A search for her replacement is currently underway.

By the Numbers
  • Niagara reached the WNIT tournament in consecutive seasons (2022-23, 2023-24).
  • In 2022-23, the team finished in the MAAC's top two for the first time since 1992-93.
  • 28 student-athletes received MAAC All-Academic Team honors during Pierce's tenure.
  • In 2023-24, Niagara scored a program-record 2,479 points in a season.
State of Play
  • A comprehensive search for a new head coach is in progress.
  • The program is looking to maintain its momentum from recent successes.
What's Next

The Purple Eagles will be focusing on attracting a new head coach who can continue building on the successes achieved under Pierce, especially capitalizing on recent player development and defensive strength. Recruiting efforts will likely focus on maintaining the high-performance standard.

Bottom Line

Jada Pierce's departure opens a new chapter for Niagara women's basketball, highlighting both the program's achievements and the challenges ahead in sustaining success. The next head coach will play a crucial role in shaping the future trajectory of the team.