Josh Cooperwood joins the Mississippi Valley State University women’s basketball staff as an assistant coach after serving in the same capacity at North Carolina Central University.
Prior to his arrival at NCCU, Cooperwood spent five years serving his alma mater; Tennessee State University, where he worked with the women’s basketball program. During his first year on the staff (2011-2012), he served as the Director of Basketball Operations. In 2015, the Lady Tigers won the 2015 Ohio Valley Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament, during that time Cooperwood was serving as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator.
He was also responsible for recruiting All-OVC players: Chelsea Hudson (2015), Imani Davis (2016), Jayda Johnson (2016) and Brianna Lawrence (2016). Lawrence was also named the 2015 OVC Tournament MVP. Cooperwood served as the defensive coordinator, which involved creating the defensive strategy for each opponent. Under his supervision, the team tallied an overall grade point average of 3.2 and a 100 percent graduation rate during his time at TSU.
Cooperwood’s collegiate career at Tennessee State was highlighted by a 2003 All-OVC Second team selection and a career high 32-points against #7University of Kentucky (Wildcats). While enrolled as a student-athlete at Chattanooga State Community College, Cooperwood was named to the 2001 TJCAA First team, 2001 TJCAA Player of the Year and a 2001 NJCAA All-American.
He played professionally for eight years (2003-2011). While many dream of traveling extensively, Cooperwood had the opportunity to live that dream and play the game he loves. He played in the Euroleague, which took him to Windsor Drive (Canada), Maccabbi Netanya (Israel), Antranik Club (Lebanon), Union Zacatecas (Mexico), Arena Club (Jordan), SL IAT Leotar (Croatia), Sporting Club (Kuwait) and Saba Caspian Mehr (Iran).
A native of Nashville, Cooperwood graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Tennessee State and holds an Associate of Science degree in Communications from Chattanooga State CC.
Cooperwood is a member of the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
He is the father of two, Amiyah and Joshua, Jr.
