WASHINGTON, DC – University of the District of Columbia Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Patricia Thomas, has announced the hiring of DeWayne Burroughs as the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach. Burroughs, an Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach and Recruiting Coordinator at UDC since 2011, replaces Lester Butler, Jr., who was announced the new Head Men’s Basketball Coach at his alma mater, Virginia Union.
“DeWayne Burroughs has solid coaching experience and has been an integral part of the women’s basketball program’s success every step of the way,” Thomas said. “Under his leadership, I am confident our women’s basketball program will continue on its current path of success.”
During his four-year tenure as Butler’s assistant coach, Burroughs helped the Firebirds reach three NCAA Tournaments (2012, 2014 and 2015), win the program’s first East Coast Conference Tournament Championship (2014) and its first ECC Regular Season Championship (2015), as well as set school single-season records for wins (25) and consecutive wins (14). In 2014-15, the Firebirds were ranked as high as No. 18 and finished No. 22 in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll.
As recruiting coordinator, Burroughs brought in three All-ECC performers: Denikka Brent, Telisha Turner and Tajruba Baldwin-Kollore. Brent was an ECC All-Rookie Team selection in 2012, a two-time First Team All-ECC performer in 2013-14 and 2014-15, the 2014-15 ECC Defensive Player of the Year and a First Team Daktronics All-East Region selection. Turner was a First Team All-ECC performer in 2013-14 and a Second Team All-ECC selection in 2014-15. She was also the ECC Tournament Most Valuable Player in 2014. Baldwin-Kollore (Criminal Justice – Newport News, VA/Denbigh HS), who is one of nine returning student-athletes from last year’s record-setting squad, was an All-ECC Honorable Mention selection last season.
Burroughs’ previous college coaching stops were Chesapeake College and Bowie State University. While at Bowie State, Burroughs served as an assistant coach and the recruiting coordinator. He helped guide BSU to two 9th-place Atlantic Region rankings, two Eastern Division titles and two CIAA Finals appearances. Burroughs also recruited two CIAA defensive players of the year, three CIAA All-Rookie team selections and several players that went on to earn CIAA All-Conference honors.
Before advancing to the college level, Burroughs served as head coach at Woodlawn High School, St. Paul School for Girls, and Northwestern High School. He compiled a high school coaching record of 143-40. While at Woodlawn High School, Burroughs won four Baltimore County Championships and three Regional Championships, and earned one State Semi-final appearance and two State Final appearances.
Burroughs also served as an AAU coach for Maryland Freeplay from 1991-2006. He produced numerous student-athletes that went on to very successful playing careers and are now coaching on the high school and collegiate levels.
“I would like to thank our Athletic Director Patricia Thomas and the entire search committee for affording me the opportunity to be the new Head Women’s Basketball Coach at the University of the District of Columbia,” Burroughs said. “I am honored and humbled to be selected as the new coach, and I am eager to lead this program with the goal of cultivating an enjoyable and successful environment for our student-athletes.”
Burroughs played baseball at his alma mater Coppin State University where he received a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a minor in Sports Management. He was recently inducted into the Coppin State University Hall of Fame Class of 2015. Burroughs later went on to receive his Masters Degree from Mountain State University in Organizational and Strategic Leadership.
Burroughs is married to the former Tabby Rideout (Columbia, MD) and they are the parents of three children: Kristina, Christopher and Stephanie.
