WALLACE STATE LIONS - WOMEN

MEET THE COACHING STAFF - WOMENS BASKETBALL

Head Coach Jessica McBrayer

256.352.8481, jessica.mcbrayer@wallacestate.edu

Jessica McBrayer is entering her sixth season as Wallace State’s women’s basketball coach. McBrayer, 34, a two-time Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Co-North Division Coach of the Year, has guided Wallace State women’s basketball to the postseason in her five previous years, including leading the Lady Lions to a 12-7 record during the COVID-shortened 2020-2021 season.

Under McBrayer’s watch, the program also earned a sixth NJCAA Division I National Championship berth during the 2019-2020 season. The Lady Lions didn’t get to compete at nationals, as the tournament was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

McBrayer enters the season with an 101-40 career mark, leading the Lady Lions to 20+ wins in three of those seasons. The program has surpassed the 20-win plateau in eight of the past 10 seasons overall.

Before inheriting the program, McBrayer served as Wallace State’s top assistant coach for three seasons, including helping the Lady Lions make a NJCAA Division I national tournament appearance in 2014-2015. McBrayer played at Wallace State under Hall of Fame coach Larry Slater during the 2007-2009 seasons after leading Hartselle High to a final four appearance in 2007 during her senior year.

McBrayer and her husband, Michael, live in Cullman with their daughters, Kinsey, 19, and Brantley, 12.

Assistant Coach Morgan Smith

Morgan Smith, one of the most dynamic players in Wallace State’s women’s basketball history, is in her third year as an assistant coach, having coached during 17-18 season and returning last year.

Smith, 27, a Cullman native, played for the Lady Lions from 2013-15. She was named a NJCAA 2nd-team All-American and the 2015 ACCC Player of the Year during her sophomore season after leading Wallace State to a NJCAA Division I National Championship appearance – the program’s fifth trip at the time. As a freshman, Smith was an All-Region 22 second-team member and a first-team AllNorth Division member.

After her Wallace State career, Smith transferred to play at the University of Montevallo.

MEET THE COACHING STAFF - CHEERLEADING

Kevin Yates, Head Coach

256.352.8218, kevin.yates@wallacestate.edu

Kevin Yates is the new Wallace State cheerleading coach for the 2022-2023 season. Yates, a Wallace State grad and Oneonta native, is well-known in the area, owning Showtime All-Star Tumble and Cheer in Cleveland. Yates cheered for Wallace State from 2000-2002 before transferring to Morehead State University, where he was a part of two national championships at the UCA College Nationals. Yates earned a degree at Wallace State in business administration and a bachelor’s from Morehead State in University Studies with an emphasis on Business Communications.