Memphis Women’s Basketball Welcomes Vonn Read as Assistant Coach

Memphis, TN, September 26, 2025

News Summary

Memphis women’s basketball head coach Alex Simmons has announced the appointment of Vonn Read as the new assistant coach for the upcoming season. Read, who previously served as associate head coach at the University of Houston, brings extensive coaching experience to the Tigers. With ten newcomers, including eight transfers, the Tigers aim to improve upon their disappointing 2024-25 season. The team has also initiated a concept called ‘confetti chasing’, symbolizing their pursuit of a championship title this season.

Memphis, TN – Memphis women’s basketball head coach Alex Simmons has announced the signing of Vonn Read as an assistant coach for the 2025-26 season. Simmons, now in her third season at the helm of the Tigers, seeks to rebound from a challenging 2024-25 season where Memphis recorded a 7-23 overall record, finishing 5-13 in the American Conference.

Vonn Read brings a wealth of experience to the program, having most recently served as the associate head coach at the University of Houston for three seasons. During Read’s tenure, the Houston Cougars notably achieved a 10-5 record in American Conference play in his first season, earning the No. 4 seed in the tournament and reaching the tournament final. His coaching prowess contributed to the Cougars ranking second nationally in steals per game with 13.9 and third in three-point percentage defense at 24.4%.

Prior to his time at Houston, Read was an assistant coach at Syracuse, where he also acted as head coach during the 2021-22 season. Under his leadership, Syracuse ranked fourth in the nation for free throw percentage at .804 and 23rd in total steals at 294. The team led the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in both free throw percentage and steals per game (10.1) during Read’s time. Syracuse made notable strides, advancing to the Final Four in the 2015-16 season, falling short to UConn in the National Championship game.

Read’s extensive coaching career began as an assistant coach for the Dodge City Legend in the US Basketball League in 2005 and included coaching the San Antonio Silver Stars in the WNBA during the 2004 season. His previous coaching roles also featured five seasons with the Orlando Magic from 1999 to 2004. Read started his coaching career at Spelman College between 1997 and 1999 after serving in the U.S. Army from 1989 to 1993.

With ten newcomers joining the Memphis roster, eight of whom arrived via the transfer portal, Simmons is signaling a clear intent to enhance team performance. Among the new players is forward Paris Gaines, who transferred from Georgia Southern, motivated by the support she received from her new team following a personal loss. Daejah Richmond, a Cordova native and FACS alum, returned home from UT-Martin, and guard Cori Allen transferred from Illinois, driven by Simmons’s vision for her impact on the team beyond the court.

The Memphis women’s basketball team has initiated a team spirit effort named “confetti chasing,” which reflects their determination to pursue a championship title in the upcoming season. Simmons underscores the necessity for players who share her goals for the program and emphasizes striving for perfection instead of accepting mediocrity, rejecting the “nobody’s perfect” mentality as a crutch. As the Tigers gear up for the upcoming season, they are set to commence their confetti chase.

Key Features of Vonn Read’s Coaching Background

• Previously served as associate head coach at the University of Houston.
• Coached Houston to a 10-5 record in American Conference play and reached the tournament final.
• Served as head coach for Syracuse during the 2021-22 season, leading the team to the Final Four in 2015-16.
• Known for defensive strengths, ranking second in steals and leading in free throw percentage at Syracuse.
• Has extensive experience in various coaching roles across different leagues, including the WNBA and NBA.

Memphis Tigers New Season Highlights

• Ten newcomers, including eight transfers, are joining the Memphis women’s basketball team.
• Initiated a team concept called “confetti chasing” aimed at winning a championship.
• Focused on building a roster that aligns with Coach Simmons’s vision for excellence.

FAQ

Coaching Career Timeline of Vonn Read

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Additional Resources

• Daily Memphian: Memphis Women’s Basketball American Conference Schedule
• Wikipedia: Memphis Tigers Basketball
• Commercial Appeal: Memphis Women’s Basketball News
• Google Search: Memphis women’s basketball
• Go Tigers Go: Vonn Read Assistant Coach Announcement
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Alex Simmons
• Local Memphis: Alex Simmons Interview
• Google News: Memphis women’s basketball news
• Action News 5: Memphis Women’s Basketball Practice Coverage
• Google Scholar: Memphis women’s basketball

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