JACKSON — A new day has officially begun for Lady Braves basketball.

Tuesday, Alcorn State University introduced Tonya Edwards as the new women’s basketball coach at the Regions building in downtown Jackson.

During Athletic Director Dr. Darren Hamilton’s introduction of Edwards, he said he expects her to “take us back to where we were as home of champions.”

Edwards, who signed a four-year contract worth $95,000 annually, said part of the reason she chose the ASU job was because of “their change and the direction they were looking to take the program.”

She later added, “I’d love to be a part of that momentum, that change.”

Going hand-in-hand with Hamilton’s criteria of what a head coach must accomplish, Edwards told the crowd what to expect of her; a first class program with respect, graduating every player “because that’s why they’re there” and to win.

“The goal is always to win,” Edwards said. “When I say win, I mean to win championships.”

Edwards acknowledged the change Lady Brave fans are hoping for may take a while, “but hopefully not,”

She said she plans to install a pressure defense and to have a team that can get up and down the court.

“A lot depends on the young ladies,” Edwards said. “I’m going to push them to fulfill their potential.”

Aside from finding a house, Edwards said her first orders of business will be to fill her coaching staff and begin recruiting.

Regarding recruiting, Edwards said she plans to converse with Peggie Gillom-Granderson at Ole Miss and Mississippi State’s Sharon Fanning to get accustomed to recruiting Mississippi. She also plans to tap into the local AAU basketball teams.

Edwards has not formally been introduced to her new team, but several players were in attendance at the press conference.

Among them was Iyvanna Brown, a freshman guard from Utica.

“I have a pretty good first impression,” Brown said. “It’s a start to a new beginning — she knows how to win.”

Edwards comes to Alcorn State University from the University of Detroit-Mercy, where she was an assistant coach for two seasons.

Prior to entering the coaching profession, Edwards won two national titles at the University of Tennessee, was named the 1987 NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament MVP and, played in the WNBA and Europe and also won two state championships in high school in Flint, Michigan.

Although ASU just hired their women’s basketball coach, Hamilton’s job of hiring coaches is far from done.

Alcorn State still has several head coaching vacancies, including their volleyball, track and field and soccer coaching positions.

Edwards, Hamilton recognize Walker

During her speech, Edwards acknowledged former coach Shirley Walker for her contributions, calling her a “trailblazer.”

“It takes people like coach Walker to lead the way,” Edwards said. “I am able to stand here because of the work she has done.”

Following the press conference, Hamilton said he’d like to see the court named after Walker, much like the Lady Vols of Tennessee’s court is named after Pat Summitt — “The Summitt.”