LORMAN — After several weeks of searching, Alcorn State has found its new women’s basketball coach.

ASU Athletic Director Darren Hamilton announced Monday that the school has hired Tonya Edwards as the new coach of the Lady Braves, pending approval of the board of trustees.

Edwards will be formally introduced to Alcorn fans at an 11 a.m. press conference today at the University Club in Jackson. The University Club is located on the 22nd floor of the Regions Building.

Edwards comes to Alcorn State after spending the previous two seasons as an assistant coach at the University of Detroit-Mercy. During her tenure she oversaw the budget, scheduled non-conference games and team travel, served as recruiting coordinator and coached the guards.

“One of the things we looked for is name recognition, which she has,” Hamilton said. “We were also looking for someone with Mississippi ties. She has ties in Hermanville. She understands how to win and recruit and values education. She is exactly what we were looking for.”

Edwards had an outstanding playing career at the University of Tennessee. She won two national championships with the Lady Vols in 1986 and 1987 and was named MVP of the 1987 NCAA Tournament.

She has also played professionally in the United States, Turkey, Italy and Israel and was named to the 1999 WNBA All-Star Team.

She was inducted into the University of Tennessee and the Greater Flint Afro-American halls of fame in 2006.

“She’s won on every level,” Hamilton said. “She won two state championships as a high school player, two national championships as a college player, won two world championships as a professional player and won a state championship as a high school coach. She knows how to win.”

Edwards’ duties as Alcorn State women’s basketball coach will begin on July 7, and Hamilton said he is looking forward to her building on the foundation laid by her predecessor, Shirley Walker.

“One of the things we have is a solid foundation in terms of championships,” Hamilton said. “We have a historic program that was led by the legendary coach Walker. (Edwards) has to instill a winning attitude and build the program based on a strong foundation.”