GREENSBORO, April 20, 2012 — Patricia Cage-Bibbs has resigned as the head women’s basketball coach at North Carolina A&T. Bibbs, a graduate of Grambling State University, was announced as the school’s next head women’s basketball coach today.
The legendary coach spent the last seven seasons at A&T, where she compiled a 130-88 record. Bibbs’ .596 winning percentage is the best in school history, and her win total is second all-time behind Tim Abney. She recently became the first women’s basketball coach in history to win 500 career games exclusively at a Division I historically black college or university.
“The wonderful and kindhearted people at North Carolina A&T will always be a part of my extended family,” said Bibbs, who has a career record of 501-294. “There are not enough words to express my gratitude for all Aggie Nation has meant to me and my family.
At this time in my life however, I want to be closer to my immediate family,” the Louisiana native continued. “I’m looking forward to the fortunate opportunity I have to coach at my alma mater again. I will miss the A&T fans and my players so, so much, but I will cherish all the outstanding memories we shared.”
A&T fans have a lot to cherish. The A&T women won just 37 games in the six seasons prior to Bibbs’ arrival in April of 2005. By season three, Bibbs turned the Aggies into the MEAC’s premiere team. The 2007-08 season started a string of three consecutive MEAC regular-season championships. A&T compiled a dominant record of 44-4 in conference play during that span. The team solidified its place in history by winning the 2009 MEAC Tournament and advancing to the NCAA Tournament as a No. 14 seed. At the time, it was the highest seed ever earned by a Division I HBCU. The 2008-09 team also won a school-record 26 games.
The following season, the Aggies made even more history under Bibbs. They won their first two games of the 2010 postseason WNIT, and became the first Division I HBCU to win two consecutive games in a NCAA-sponsored postseason tournament. Bibbs boasts wins over Wake Forest, Charlotte (twice) and Clemson during her time at A&T. Five of North Carolina A&T’s 12 1,000-point career scorers are Bibbs signees. She won MEAC Coach of the Year in 2008 and ’09.
Bibbs’ 27 seasons of collegiate coaching include a 13-year stay at Grambling State and a seven-year stint at Hampton University. She has made nine postseason appearances, won 12 regular-season titles and 10 conference tournament titles. Her teams have won 20 or more games 13 times, have finished in first or second place 19 times and she has won conference coach of the year on 10 separate occasions.
Two of Bibbs’ most memorable milestones came as the Aggies head coach. A&T defeated UNC Asheville 88-62 at UNC Greensboro’s Fleming Gymnasium on Nov. 23, 2007 to secure Bibbs’ 400th career win. Win No. 500 occurred on Feb. 27, 2012, as the Aggies defeated Savannah State 88-74 in Savannah, Ga.
“We had the privilege of being in the presence of a true college basketball coaching legend,” said A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton. “We are honored that many of coach Bibbs’ milestones were achieved at North Carolina A&T. Those moments will always be a part of our storied history. What cannot be overlooked in the midst of all these accomplishments is the fact that Patricia Cage-Bibbs is a great champion for women’s athletics. We wish her continued success at Grambling State.” read more digtraid
