Board of Directors
Dale Brown
Dale Brown, a Mississippi native, who was a stand-out at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC), is tabbed as one of the best players in Mississippi Junior College (JUCO) history. He was a first team JUCO All-American and the 1991 National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Men’s Basketball Player of the Year. Brown helped lead the Bulldogs to a 33-4 record and back-to-back Region 23 titles. For his accomplishments, Brown was inducted into in the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2006. After two successful years at MGCC, his talents landed him a scholarship to the University of Kentucky under the leadership of legendary coach Rick Pitino where he was instrumental in carrying the Wildcats to the 1993 NCAA Final Four. During his career at Kentucky, he was named a two-time Southeastern Conference (SEC) Defensive Player of the Year (1992 and 1993) and the SEC Newcomer of the Year (1992).
“I am truly excited and honored to be a part of the Clark Atlanta University family as the new head men’s basketball coach. It is my goal to continue to build upon and strengthen the foundation of excellence in academics, athletics and community service already in place here,” said Brown.
After a brief run in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the Sacramento Kings, Brown played with several European teams in Greece, Italy, Australia and France. His coaching career began as an assistant coach in the NBA Developmental League where he coached 15 players who were granted opportunities to play in the NBA and European basketball leagues. He then served as the associate and interim head coach at Pikeville College for one season before returning to Mississippi Gulf Coast as an assistant. Perhaps his most decorated season as a head coach came in 2007 when he led Moss Point High School to the best record in school history (32-6) and a Mississippi state semi-finals appearance. Brown had been at the helm at Dillard University in New Orleans for the past three years.
Following completion of his associate’s degree at MGCC, he received the bachelor’s in leadership from the University of Kentucky, and subsequently earned his master’s degree in teaching with technology from Ashford University.
“He brings a great knowledge of the game with a history of success and a background, particularly as a player, that can motivate and inspire young players to successful endeavors beyond the basketball court,” said Associate Athletic Director D’Wayne Robinson. “Coach Brown is a great coach not only for the CAU men’s basketball program, but also CAU athletics.”
Yolanda Brown
Coach Brown, a New Orleans native, enters her sixth season as Dillard's head women's volleyball coach. She graduated from L.B. Landry High School in 1995 and received a scholarship to play volleyball at Grambling State University.
As an NCAA volleyball player, Brown was a three-time all-conference and all-tournament selection. She helped guide the Grambling Lady Tigers to a SWAC title during the 1996 season. Brown concluded a successful collegiate career earning the conference's top honor of SWAC Player of the Year during the 1999 season. In 2000, Coach Brown received her Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Grambling State University.
Brown's first coaching experience came as a volunteer coach for underprivileged children in New Orleans at the Gold and Blue Institute. She also provided services as a volleyball consultant to the coaching staff at John McDonogh High School. Brown began her collegiate coaching career at Alcorn State University, where she coached from 2005-2007.
In 2010, Coach Brown led the Lady Bleu Devils of Dillard to their first ever GCAC volleyball championship and their first ever berth to the national tournament for volleyball. This was also Dillard's first post-Katrina conference championship. Brown was also named 2010 GCAC Coach of the Year.
She is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, and is an active member of the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) and the United States Volleyball Association (USVA).
Rick Stansbury
Rick Stansbury, the 2004 Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year, all-time coaching wins leader at Mississippi State and ninth-winningest coach in the history of the SEC, enters his second year on the Texas A&M basketball staff.
“Rick has made a huge impact on our program in a very short time,” head coach Billy Kennedy said. “His experience in coaching, recruiting and all areas has been a huge benefit. There were several opportunities that presented themselves to Rick recently, and I’m very pleased he’s made the commitment to our program to stay with us.”
In his first season in Aggieland, the veteran coach helped the Aggies claim 21 wins during the 2014-15 campaign while finishing in a tie for third in the final SEC standings and advancing to the second round of the NIT. On the recruiting trail, Stansbury helped the Aggie coaching staff sign a consensus top-10 recruiting class which was regarded as one of the most heralded groups in school history.
No stranger to winning in the SEC, Stansbury, 55, spent 22 seasons at Mississippi State, the last 14 as head coach (1999-2012) compiling a 293-166 (.638) record while guiding the Bulldogs to the postseason 11 times, including six NCAA appearances. His 293 wins are the most all-time among MSU floor generals while also ranking ninth in SEC men’s basketball history.
“I’m excited to be a part of Coach Kennedy’s staff,” Stansbury said. “I’ve known Billy for a long time, he’s a terrific coach and even better person. I look forward to helping him and his staff in any way I can.”
During the final 12 seasons of Stansbury's tenure in Starkville, Mississippi State won more games than any other SEC program except Kentucky and Florida. Additionally, the Bulldogs averaged 21 wins per season, won 20 or more games in 10 seasons and claimed the 2004 SEC regular season championship and five SEC West Division titles, with Stansbury earning 2004 SEC Coach of the Year honors from the Associated Press.
Norbert Rome
Dedicated, family oriented, ambitious, and disciplined are just a few words to describe Lady Bleu Devils head coach Norbert Rome.
Coach Norbert Rome returned to his alma mater in the 2007-2008 season entering his 1st year as Assistant Women's Basketball Coach for the Dillard University Lady Bleu Devils. In fall of 2012, Coach Rome will enter his fifth year coaching at Dillard University.
During his tenure with Dillard, Coach Rome has assisted tremendously in the rebuilding process of the athletics department to help it achieve its original success prior to Hurricane Katrina. Rome serves as the Bleu Devils' scheduling and recruiting coordinator and is in charge of the development of the post players and offensive strategy. While serving in this position he has helped bring in an all-American and two all-conference players.
Coach Rome volunteers his time with the Kenner Angels AAU organization. While on staff, the teams have had two state championships. The teams placed as high as fifth in the AAU National Tournament.
Rome played basketball at Warren Easton High School. His ability to understand the game helped him lead his high school team to the quarterfinals in the state playoffs in 1995. He was the instrumental leader on a team that graduated several collegiate players. The team posted the best record in school's history.
Following high school he went to play at Mary Holmes Junior College where he was known on the team as a top three-point shooting threat. Rome earned an Associate degree in Liberal Arts from Mary Holmes Junior College and graduated from Dillard University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 2001.
Coach Rome recently assisted in coaching Angels Basketball, an 11th grade AAU team, to a National Championship in 2012.
Matt Figger
Matt Figger enters his fourth season at South Carolina and his third as the associate head coach, after most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Gamecocks (2012-13), and previously in the same capacity at Kansas State for Frank Martin for five seasons (2007-12). Figger is also Carolina's recruiting coordinator and helped the staff sign the No. 23 ranked class in the nation during the spring of 2013 according to ESPN.com. Figger brings over 20 years of coaching experience in various levels of the college ranks to the South Carolina sidelines.
"Upon losing Brad Underwood [to the head coaching position at Stephen F. Austin in April 2013] the decision to promote Matt Figger to associate head coach was an easy one," Martin said about Figger's promotion. "Matt has been with me from day one at Kansas State, and he is as ready as anyone can be to take on head coaching duties. I'm excited for what he brings to our program every single day, and he'll remain responsible for the same things that he has done up to this point. I just want everyone to understand and know - players, and everyone who is around us - that Matt is ready to take on the challenge of being a head coach."
Along with serving as the recruiting coordinator for the Gamecocks, Figger also coordinates team practices and individual workouts. As the associate head coach, he plays an instrumental role within the Gamecock program.
During Figger's first season on staff (2012-13), the Gamecocks posted a 14-18 overall record, clinching the Hoops For Hope Classic Tournament crown after going undefeated in the event, which concluded in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, over the Thanksgiving holiday. South Carolina won four of its final six games in 2013-14, including two SEC Tournament victories, the first wins for the Gamecocks at the event since the 2008 campaign. The Gamecocks battled through a challenging non-conference schedule, posting wins vs. Saint Mary's at the Hawaiian Airlines Diamond Head Classic and home wins versus Alabama, Vanderbilt and No. 17 Kentucky during league play.
Figger helped the Gamecocks to a 17-16 overall record, including six SEC victories and an upset win over No. 9/9 Iowa State during the 2014-15 campaign. It marked the Gamecocks' first winning record and the most league wins since 2009-10. For the second-straight season, Carolina won four of its final six games, including two victories in the SEC Tournament, advancing to the quarterfinal round. Carolina also excelled in the classroom, posting its fifth-consecutive semester of a team GPA of a 3.0 or above during the spring, with the squad earning the NABC Team Academic Excellence Award, three earning NABC Honors Court accolades, and 12 team members named to the SEC Winter Academic and the SEC First-Year Academic Honor Rolls.