WNBA Legend Cynthia Cooper-Dyke Hopes to Coach in the NBA

WNBA legend and former Texas Southern University head women's basketball coach Cynthia Cooper-Dyke hopes to return to basketball as an assistant coach in the National Basketball Association.

Houston reporter Mark Berman asked Cooper-Dyke about her next move after her abrupt retirement announcement as the head coach at Texas Southern University in March 2022.

Cynthia Cooper (@AllDecade14) retired from coaching in college when she left Texas Southern. Cynthia’s goal now is the NBA: “I’m hopeful that the NBA is next for me..I would love to be an assistant coach.” pic.twitter.com/uGY0hOQBE3
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) April 21, 2022

The college basketball and WNBA legend coached her last basketball game with TSU in the 2022 SWAC Women's Basketball Tournament. The Lady Tigers lost a close contest 68-67 in the tournament's opening round to Southern University.

In 2021-22, Cooper-Dyke guided the team to an 11-15, 11-76 SWAC record, and 56-47 overall record at Texas Southern.

Cooper-Dyke was the first WBNA player inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 20201. She received induction into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame in 2009.

The Hall of Famer led the Houston Comets to the first four WNBA Championship titles from 1997 to 2000. Later, the four-time WNBA Finals MVP became the head coach at Prairie View A&M women's basketball team in May 2005.

Her tenure in coaching began at Prairie View (2005-10) and continued with stints at UNC Wilmington (2010-12), Texas Southern (2012-13), USC (2013-17), and returned to Texas Southern (2019-21). Cooper Dyke was honored as the CAA Coach of the Year in 2010 and WBCBL Professional Basketball Trailblazer Award in 2015.

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Published Apr 21, 2022

KYLE T. MOSLEY

I am Kyle T. Mosley, the Founder, Managing Editor, and Chief Reporter for the HBCU Legends, Saints News Network, and Pelicans Scoop on FanNation a Sports Illustrated team channel since October 2019. Morehouse Alum, McDonogh #35 Roneagles (NOLA), Drum Major of the Tenacious Four. My Father, Mother, Grandmother, Aunts and Uncles were HBCU graduates! Host of "Blow the Whistle" HBCU Legends, "The Quad" with Coach Steward, and "Bayou Blitz" Podcasts. Radio/Media Appearances: WWL AM/FM Radio in New Orleans (Mike Detillier/Bobby Hebert), KCOH AM 1230 in Houston (Ralph Cooper), WBOK AM in New Orleans (Reggie Flood/Ro Brown), and 103.7FM "The Game" (Jordy Hultberg/Clint Domingue), College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt), Jeff Lightsly Show, and Offscript TV on YouTube. Television Appearance: Fox26 in Houston on The Isiah Carey Factor, College Kickoff Unlimited (Emory Hunt). My Notable Interviews: Byron Allen (Media Mogul), Deion Sanders (Jackson State University, Head Coach), Tomekia Reed (Jackson State Lady Tigers Basketball Coach), Taylor Rooks (NBA Reporter), Swin Cash (VP of Basketball - New Orlean Pelicans), Demario and Tamala Davis (NFL Player), Jerry Rice (Hall of Famer), Doug Williams (HBCU & NFL Legend), Emmitt Smith (Hall of Famer), James "Shack" Harris (HBCU & NFL Legend), Cris Carter (Hall of Famer), Solomon Wilcots (SiriusXM NFL Host), Steve Wyche (NFL Network), Jim Trotter (NFL Network), Travis Williams (Founder of HBCU All-Stars, LLC), Malcolm Jenkins (NFL Player), Cam Jordan (NFL), Demario Davis (NFL), Allan Houston (NBA All-Star), Drew Brees (Former NFL QB), Deuce McAllister (Former NFL RB), Willie Roaf (NFL Hall of Fame), Jim Everett (Former NFL Player), Quinn Early (Former NFL Player), Dr. Reef (NFL Players' Trainer Specialist), Nataria Holloway (VP of the NFL). I am building a new team of journalists, podcasters, videographers, and interns. For media requests, interviews, or interest in joining HBCU Legends, please contact me at kmosley@hbcusi.com. Follow me:

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