Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders took some time to extend some support to Tomekia Reed, the head coach of Charlotte's women's basketball team. Having worked alongside each other at Jackson State, Sanders couldn't help but reach out.

"Praying for you," he shared on X, replying to a post from Charlotte women's basketball announcing that she was taking a leave of absence on medical grounds. The university stated that associate head coach LaShonda Cousin will serve as Interim Head Coach during this time. 

"Coach Reed has our full love and support as she manages her health and recovery," Charlotte's Athletic Director Kevin White said.

Reed joined the Charlotte 49ers after a successful 6-year stint with Jackson State. She built an impressive legacy in the HBCU circuit during her time with the Tigers. Reed won the HBCU National Coach of the Year three times.

While she was at Jackson State, Deion Sanders arrived there as a first-time college football head coach in 2021. He brought success of a similar kind to the Tigers, winning two straight SWAC titles with them. Sanders, however, left the program in 2024 to coach Colorado.

But the bond between them remains. Deion Sanders' youngest daughter, Shelomi Sanders, began her college basketball career under Tomekia Reed's guidance.

While at Jackson State, Reed won five Southwestern Athletic Conference Championships; two of them came consecutively. She created a school record by winning 26 games in her last season at JSU, including a seamless 18-0 in conference play. Under her leadership, Ameshya Williams-Holliday became the first HBCU player to be selected in the WNBA draft.

No wonder Sanders took note of her.

What Did Tomekia Reed Learn From Deion Sanders?

On the HBCU LEGENDS podcast, Tomekia Reed spoke about what she learned from Coach Prime. 

“Coach Prime taught me how to know my worth," she said. He taught me how to walk in my value. You know, so often I put my head down, I keep my head down. I just work.

“Coach Prime and I had a lot of similarities in how much we teach our program, how we teach our players, and how we run our program. We do a lot of things alike. And it was really good to see that, hey, I’m doing some things the right way, you know.” 

Fans will join Deion Sanders in supporting the talented basketball coach as she goes through this troubling time.

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Afreen Kabir