Texas Tech Hall of Famer Plenette Pierson comes to Prairie View after being an assistant coach at her alma mater. She assumed the role of associate head coach in the 2024-25 season. An all-time great at Texas Tech, Pierson returned to Lubbock in June 2022 and was been instrumental in the program’s resurgence.
In the 2024-25 season, Pierson helped guide the Lady Raiders to a 19-15 record, reaching the quarterfinals of both the Big 12 Tournament and the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT). Texas Tech celebrated its 1,000th program win after defeating Utah in the Big 12 quarterfinals, snapping a 22-year drought since the team last won multiple games in the tournament. In the WBIT, the Lady Raiders posted marquee victories over No. 4 seed Wyoming and overall No. 1 seed Virginia Tech. Pierson helped engineer key non-conference wins over Washington State, Gonzaga, Colorado, and Arkansas—the program’s first-ever win in Fayetteville.
In 2023-24, her second full season on staff, Pierson helped Texas Tech achieve a 17-16 record, marking back-to-back winning seasons for the first time since 2012-13. The Lady Raiders started the year with an 11-0 run, one of the best starts in program history. Tech earned wins over Houston, Kansas, and a ranked victory against No. 24 Iowa State. In the Big 12 Tournament, they advanced past Houston for the third time that season. Under Pierson’s development, Bailey Maupin and Jasmine Shavers earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors and spots on the Dave Campbell’s All-Texas Team and CSC Academic All-District Team.
In her first season back in Lubbock (2022-23), Pierson helped lead the Lady Raiders to a 20-15 overall record—their first 20-win season and postseason appearance since 2012-13. Her work with the post players was evident, as forward Jazmaine Lewis posted career highs across multiple statistical categories, and freshman Kilah Freelon emerged as a reliable Big 12 contributor after a slow start in non-conference play.
Pierson’s impact extended beyond individual development. During the 2022-23 season, Tech outscored opponents 980-964 in the paint and averaged nearly 26 points per game inside. Her influence in recruiting also contributed to one of the top transfer classes in the country, featuring former five-star Jordyn Merritt and CUSA Defensive Player of the Year Elina Arike, along with the return of a deep frontcourt group.
A 2003 graduate of Texas Tech, Pierson was the No. 4 overall pick in the 2003 WNBA Draft and enjoyed a 17-season playing career. A three-time WNBA Champion, she was named the league’s first Sixth Woman of the Year in 2007 and later served as an assistant coach for the Minnesota Lynx, helping them reach the postseason in all three of her seasons on staff.
One of the most decorated players in Lady Raider history, Pierson ranks 6th all-time in scoring (1,602 points) and helped lead Texas Tech to a 102-30 overall record during her collegiate career, including four NCAA Tournament appearances, four Sweet Sixteens, two Elite Eights, and the 2000 Big 12 Regular Season Championship.
