Joy McCorvey has been named the 11th head coach of the Stony Brook University women's basketball program.
McCorvey, an Alabama native and former standout at St. John's University, returns to Long Island for his head coaching debut after an impressive 13-year career as an assistant coach, including the past three seasons at the University of Tennessee. It's here. She helped the Lady Vols achieve a 70-34 record and her third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The University of Tennessee advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2022 and 2023.
Stony Brook University Director of Athletics Sean Heilbron and President Maury McInnis made the announcement on April 15, and McCorvey was welcomed at a press conference on April 19.
“I am humbled and honored to serve as the next head women's basketball coach at Stony Brook University,” said McCorvey. “I am grateful to Sean Heilbron, his leadership team, and President McInnis for trusting me to help lead this program. Stony Brook prides itself on academic and athletic excellence. It's a great place and I look forward to the opportunity to continue the winning tradition.”
“I am very excited to welcome Joy to the Stony Brook family as our new women's basketball coach,” said Heilbron. “Her dynamic personality and very high level basketball intelligence allow her to step in and make an immediate impact. Most importantly, she truly cares about the student-athlete experience. , will inspire women to achieve greatness on and off the court.”
“I am very pleased to welcome Coach Joy McCorvey to our university family,” McInnis said. “As a standout student-athlete while attending St. John's University, Joy not only understands the qualities needed to be a successful coach, but also has the ability to help players excel at the highest level of competition. I also understand what it takes to be a supportive teacher and leader.”
In June 2022, Ms. McCorvey was named one of the most influential high-major assistant coaches in Division I women's basketball by Silver Waves Media. In January 2024, The Athletic ranked her in the top 20 of assistants who are ready to run their own Division I programs.
McCorvey's resume as an assistant coach includes a 286-143 record in 13 seasons, 12 postseason appearances (eight NCAA Tournament, four WNIT) and 12 seasons with 20 or more wins.
McCorvey spent three seasons at Florida State University, serving as associate head coach in 2020-21. She helped the Seminoles reach the NCAA Tournament twice and finish with a 58-26 record. Before she enrolled at Florida State University, she worked as a member of former Seawolf Kim Barnes Arico's coaching staff at the University of Michigan from 2012 to 2018. In six seasons, the Wolverines went 134-73 with six postseason appearances (two in the NCAA Tournament and four in the WNIT). The University of Michigan won her 2017 WNIT Championship.
McCorvey, a four-year captain at St. John's University, is just one of four players with at least 700 points and 700 rebounds in a career, but was named to the Big East All-Academic Team three times ( 2007-2010) Selected. In 2008 she was awarded the St. Jones College Marianne Noonan Memorial. She received her bachelor's degree in early childhood education from St. John's University in 2010.
McCorvey replaces Ashley Langford, who resigned as Seawolves coach to take the head coaching job at Tulane University.
For more information, please visit SBU Athletics.