Southern University

Athletics 7/13/2026 11:30:00 AM Rodney Kirschner Deputy Athletics Director | Director of Strategic Communications | Sports Information Director

A JAGUAR RETURNS HOME: SOUTHERN NAMES DARNESHA MOORE HEAD COACH OF SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY MEN'S AND WOMEN'S TENNIS

BATON ROUGE, La. | Southern University Athletics has announced the hiring of former Jaguar standout student-athlete Darnesha Moore as the new head coach of the Southern University Men's and Women's Tennis Programs.

"We are excited to welcome Coach Darnesha Moore back home to Southern University," said Director of Athletics Roman Banks. "We owe so much to Coach Conyers for his 24 years of building this program into a championship standard. That legacy deserves someone who understands our championship culture and that's exactly who we found in Darnesha Moore. Her experience as a student-athlete, and her growth as a coach make her the ideal leader to continue building our men's and women's tennis programs, we couldn't be more excited for what's ahead."

A familiar face to Jaguar Nation, Moore returns home with a deep understanding of Southern's championship tradition, having built a successful career as both a student-athlete and coach.

"Returning to Southern University is a tremendous honor," said Moore. "I'm excited and grateful for the opportunity to lead the men's and women's tennis programs. Having spent a lot of time around Southern and SWAC tennis, I understand the tradition and the expectations. I'm looking forward to getting on the court with our student-athletes and building championship programs."

Moore's connection to Southern tennis runs deep. As a Jaguar student-athlete, she was one of the most decorated players in program history. In 2014, she was named the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Women's Most Valuable Player and earned Southern University Women's Athlete of the Year honors.

A four-year standout, Moore earned All-SWAC honors throughout her collegiate career and helped guide the Jaguars to back-to-back SWAC Championships in 2014 and 2015. Contributing to a historic six-year championship streak that remains unmatched in conference history, as Southern is still the only program to win six consecutive SWAC titles.

Beyond her accomplishments on the court, Moore was a leader within the Jaguar community, serving as Vice President of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and participating as a Big Buddy Mentor, working with local elementary students.

Following her playing career, Moore began developing her coaching résumé at Southern University, serving as a volunteer assistant coach with the Jaguar tennis program.

She later joined the LSU men's tennis program as an assistant coach before earning her first full-time head coaching position at Alcorn State University, where she led both the men's and women's tennis programs from 2019-2022. At just 23 years old, Moore became the youngest Black woman to serve as a Division I head tennis coach. Under her leadership, the Alcorn State men's team finished as runner-up at the 2021 HBCU National Championships, earned All-SWAC recognition, and posted a 3.825 team grade-point average.

For the past four years, Moore has served the United States Tennis Association (USTA), most recently as Senior Manager, Coach Education Delivery, where she led the national delivery of education programs. Developed curriculum and certification pathways and facilitated educational experiences for thousands of coaches across the country. She also served as a Team USA faculty coach and parent liaison, supported regional training camps for elite junior players, and delivered presentations at premier events, including the US Open, Billie Jean King Cup, and Davis Cup. Moore also helped launch USTA Coaching, the organization's coaching platform providing education, professional development, and a connected coaching community.

In 2018, she was selected to participate in the USTA Player Development Professional Coaching Program. Through the program, Moore traveled nationwide with mentors and participated in the USTA High Performance Coaching Program, along with continued education opportunities designed to develop elite coaches.

A passionate advocate for growing the game, Moore has also expanded opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), leading coaching education workshops at more than 22 HBCUs and impacting more than 500 student-athletes. Her efforts helped secure more than $50,000 in grants to enhance HBCU tennis facilities and programming, while her partnerships with the USTA Foundation resulted in more than $100,000 in scholarship support for women and coaches of color pursuing coaching education.

Moore's passion for tennis extends beyond collegiate athletics. After earning her degree from Southern University, she obtained her Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) certification and founded Moore Quality Tennis, LLC at Fennwood Hills Country Club. She has since added an extensive list of additional credentials, including USTA Coaching Certified Professional and RSPA certifications, the USTA High Performance Program, the WTA Coach Inclusion Program, and the United States Center for Coaching Excellence.

Through her company, Moore focused on expanding access to the sport by creating competitive opportunities for youth players, educating families, and hosting community tennis events designed to grow the game. She has worked with athletes of all ages, providing both group instruction and private lessons to youth and adult players.

Her accomplishments have earned her recognition throughout the tennis community, including being named a Billie Jean King Champion of Excellence, a Southern University 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2026 Forbes Under 30 nominee.

Moore's return represents the continuation of a strong Jaguar tennis legacy. As a former player, SWAC champion, and now head coach, she brings a unique perspective and commitment to developing the next generation of Southern student-athletes. Her experience, championship mindset, and connection to the university position her to lead Jaguar tennis into its next era of success.

From Jaguar standout to Jaguar leader, Darnesha Moore is ready to write the next chapter of Southern University tennis.

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