Leah Frierson enters her second season as an assistant coach for the North Carolina Central University women's basketball program. As a member of the coaching staff, Frierson will serve as recruiting coordinator and will work with the post players.
Frierson comes to NCCU from Livingstone College, where she spent one season as head coach of the Blue Bear women's program. Prior to Livingstone, Frierson was named assistant coach at St. Augustine's College, where she served under current assistant coach Antonio Davis during the 2006-07 season.
Before arriving at St. Augustine's, Frierson took on the position of director of basketball operations at North Illinois University in DeKalb, Ill., where she served as the coordinator and liaison for community service, marketing and facilities for the 2005-06 season.
Her coaching career began in 2003 when she spent two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator under head coach David Johnson at St. Andrew's Presbyterian College. During her tenure with the Knights, they recorded their first-ever postseason victory in 2004, while claiming school records for overall and conference wins for the 2004-05 season. That same season, the Knights had their most successful season at the Division II level, earning a 15-13 record.
While at SAPC, Frierson worked directly with the post players, but she also oversaw academic progress, recruiting, strength and conditioning and compliance. She was also in control of the program's film exchange and community outreach programs, while also serving as the school's Student Athlete Advisory Board Advisor.
Frierson's hard work and passion for the game of basketball came from her playing days. After graduating from Belleville East High School in 1998, Frierson continued her basketball career at Belleville Area College. Due to a right knee injury, she was unable to compete in her first year of competition, but came back the following year to lead her team to a 33-3 finish and the NJCAA Championships, where they finished second.
Following the 1999-2000 year, the school was renamed Southwestern Illinois College. Frierson helped the program earn a 20-10 record and reach their third-straight NJCAA Region XXIV semifinals. She became the school's all-time rebounding leader and earned both All-Region XXIV and Great Rivers Athletic All-Conference honors during both of her final two seasons.
Frierson earned her associate of arts degree from Southwestern Illinois. In 2001, Frierson earned a scholarship to continue her basketball career at Austin Peay State University. A torn ACL in her left knee drowned her hopes of a successful 2001-02 campaign, but her determination and hard work allowed her to come back the following year.
As a senior, she helped her team capture their second-straight Ohio Valley Conference title, where they went undefeated in conference play and came two points shy of defeated the North Carolina Tarheels in the 2003 NCAA first round game.
While at Austin Peay, she was the 2003 recipient of the Arthur Ashe Sports Scholar-Athlete Award after being a member of the Ohio Valley Commissioner's Honor Roll for the 2002-03 season. She was a four-time honoree on the Athletic Director's Honor Roll and made the Dean's List for the spring of 2002 and 2003.
She earned a bachelor of science degree in communications with a minor in psychology from Austin Peay. In 2006, she earned a master of arts degree in education from the University of Phoenix and just recently obtained a master's degree in sports administration from the University of North Carolina Pembroke.
She resides in Durham, N.C.
