Head WBB Coach •Valdosta State University @vsuladyblazers • 2022 WBCA 30 Under 30 #GodFirstLife #FuelTheFlame🏀💪🏾🔥😎
Corner of Happy & Healthy
- Tweets 10,542
- Following 6,756
- Followers 8,845
- Likes 27,875
Instead of trying to create “three level scorers”
Maybe help your kids play off two feet and dribble/ pass/ finish with both hands. And consistently make open shots.
That would be great.
8
62
441
33,967
“Use me, God. Show me how to take who I am, who I want to be, and what I can do, and use it for a purpose greater than myself.” - Rev Dr. MLK Jr.
#ThankYouMLK50
4
151
315
Excited to officially announce that I have accepted an assistant coaching position at @SamfordWBB! Looking forward to this opportunity with the Bulldogs!
Ready to get to work!
#AllForSAMford🐶🐾
30
24
296
Incredibly grateful and honored to be the next leader of @VSULadyBlazers. Blazer Nation is the ABSOLUTE best. I’m elated to be back in TITLETOWN. LET’S GOOOO!!! ❤️😎🔥💪🏾
29
18
230
29,171
GRATEFUL to be back at an incredibly special place that means so much to me. HOME🏠💙🐦.
Thanks to @coach_elambert for the opportunity! #WhyNotUs
Time to introduce our full staff for the upcoming season!
We start with welcoming back former Osprey Chandler Merkerson as our associate head coach!
#SWOOP // @_CoachChan
13
7
119
18,704
To all my Big Girls that are sprinting the floor and not getting the ball... KEEP SPRINTING, WE SEE YOU!! 💪🏾👏🏾
1
14
113
Just an FYI: Sending an email asking to be recruited with no game film or highlights attached is absolutely pointless.
If you send film, I will watch. If you don’t, I will ignore.
3
23
102
18,683
😂😭😂😭😂😭😭😭 this is so embarrassing but this is what I get for always acting a fool 🤦🏽♀️
Look at those moves!!
We just gonna leave this here @_CoachChan 😉
#AllForSAMford
13
92
First of all... I’ll let all the other mascots finish BUT BLAZE JUST DESTROYED THE #INMYFEELINGSCHALLENGE 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥😎😎😎😎😎 #WeWon #Period 😂
3
50
76
Also, just because a kid “can play at the D2 level” doesn’t mean they can help us win.
3
7
74
14,233
Back in the Nest 😎💙🐦 #SWOOP
There are few things better than seeing a former @OspreyWBB student-athlete now succeeding as a current coach. Welcome back @_CoachChan!!
7
7
69
12,490
Now it’s more important than ever that AAU coaches and high school coaches work together for the good of their athletes!
10
69
This is just a random appreciation post for my boss and friend and mentor @CoachKuhns I got your back ALWAYS! And I’m grateful for you every single day! ❤️🐶💙 #TheBest
1
67
Looking for two graduate assistants for next year. Covers full tuition and stipend. Opportunities for on court experience. Please send information/resumes to cgmerkerson@valdosta.edu
35
65
22,716
So hurt for our kids. Once in a lifetime opportunity for most of them to compete in the NCAA tournament. REGARDLESS, I’m super proud of my crew and what we accomplished this season. #DOGSonTop
3
4
66
I appreciate all the juco/transfers guards reaching out about our program. So many great players, really wish I could take you all but, right now we are focused on post players ❤️🔥😎
3
4
67
11,266
Happy Birthday to the Gem!! @CoachKuhns I hope today has been amazing!! Thank you for leading with love and being the light that you are! I love you and appreciate you ❤️🤞🏽🎊🎉🎈
4
5
57
3 Trophies in 2 Years… Need I Say More?!?!
Excited for Year 3 of the Kuhns Era!!! Let’s GOOO!!! 💍🐶🏆
1
57
Please don’t send me any kids that play as if they’re afraid to get their uniform dirty!
2
4
52
8,254
BIGS!! Remember, we don’t get plays off.
REBOUND and Run the floor. EVERY POSSESSION!
Do your work early in the paint.
Don’t dribble if you don’t need it!!
Don’t bring the ball down.
Find the rim before you go up.
2
13
50
BACK. TO. BACK.
🏆😬🥳
8
1
50
Getting my first W and first L as a head coach in back to back days wasn’t quite the roller coaster I expected 😅.
So much to improve upon, all controllable. Ready to get back at it with my crew 🔥💪🏾😎
4
51
3,643
Join us for an afternoon of skill development, competition, and fun!!
We are looking for recruits at every position in the ‘25 class.
And YES we still recruit high school kids!
4
8
50
6,727
Was moved to tears today as we all peacefully protested in Birmingham at Kelly Ingram Park. The EXACT same place MLK & so many others from the civil rights movement protested 56 yrs ago. Today we fight for the same injustices. There’s work to do. DON’T REST! #BlackLivesMatter
1
3
41
Can’t wait to have some of my fav future dogs on campus for Elite Camp!
Sign up today!! Don’t miss out on the Bulldog Experience 🤩😉
3
39
Happy Birthday to the Pickleball Queen!!!! @CoachKuhns It’s been amazing to watch you grow and evolve every year as a coach, mom, & friend. Words can’t describe how grateful I am for you today and every single day. This year will be your VERY BEST!!! Love you!!❤️🥳🎉🎂
2
40
Couldn’t be more proud/ happy for this woman!!!! The best person I know who just so happens to be the best coach I know. SO so deserving. Love you! @CoachKuhns #Baddie4L ❤️🐐
🚨 COACH OF THE YEAR 🚨
No one better to lead the Dogs than @CoachKuhns!
➡️ 11-2 in SoCon play!
➡️ 2nd-straight regular season 🏆
➡️ 1st outright regular season 🏆 in program history!
📰 👉 bit.ly/3r4Z4vD
#AllForSAMford
2
37
#nationalcoachday 1st game of the year vs last game 😂🤣 All jokes aside, it’s a pleasure, privilege and honor to be a coach, to work along side these coaches, and impact our kids lives daily!
1
2
37
This inspired me, THEY inspire me!! 🙏🏾
"People hire who they're comfortable with."
In a roundtable conversation with @DawnStaley, @UBCoachJack, @CarolynPeck and Vanessa Blair-Lewis, @YolettMcCuin suggests one reason why there are a lack of black female coaches in the NCAA.
Full conversation: bit.ly/2RhSjEF
5
36
Been a lot of places, NONE more special than this. LOVE this place, and these people ❤️🔥🫶🏽😎
#FuelTheFlame #Grateful
One year ago today, Coach Chan was officially announced as our program’s 7th head coach marking her return to Titletown and the beginning of the #CoachChanEra.
#FuelTheFlame 🔥
3
38
4,554
Had our first team gathering this evening! Man I’m so excited about this group. Funny & competitive. #ThisIsGonnaBeFun 😎🔥
2
33
🤩THE ABSOLUTE BEST!! I have literally never met a better person or leader. So so deserving!! ❤️
The SAMSPY for Head Coach of the Year goes to...Carley Kuhns❗️
Despite being picked seventh in the preseason polls, @CoachKuhns led @SamfordWBB to SoCon regular season and tournament championships in her first year at the helm.
#SAMSPYs20 | #AllForSAMford
1
1
35
MY BROTHER!! A GREAT addition to the family. Excited to watch you shine ✨ Congratulations Big Time 💪🏾 @_trongriff
𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐉𝐀𝐗‼️
.@_trongriff joins the Osprey staff as our associate head coach after spending the past three seasons at Daytona State College on Wednesday afternoon!
🗞️ >> bit.ly/3wyskCQ
#SWOOP
36
5,559
Kids, stay a child as long as you can. I remember I wanted to be an adult soooo bad now look at me...😫😭
4
35
Came up short. But this @SamfordWBB crew is TOUGH!!!!!!! Can’t say enough about how hard we competed today. Excited to watch us grow and keep getting better! #Process 💪🏾🐶
2
1
34
First of many wins as a D1 head coach! Proud of you @CoachKuhns . Lets keep it rolling ❤️🐶
1
3
34
In just 3 years as a head coach @CoachKuhns
3️⃣ Championship Game Appearances
-2 Conference, 1 Regional
🏆1 Conference Championship
🍭 1 Sweet 16 Appearance
✔️ Three 21+ win seasons
Recruits, if u want to win... come play for a PROVEN winnner!!! @VSULadyBlazers 🔥😎🔥
2
11
33
I'm so excited!!!! #BlazerNation LETS GOOOOO!!!!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
Chandler Merkerson Named Assistant Women's Basketball Coach bit.ly/2eLkEoQ
12
4
34
I’m sick 😢🤕. We came up 1 point shy tonight but couldn’t be more proud of our kids effort. They locked in and played the BEST defense against a top team in the region.
WBB: What a game. What a year. Be proud, #BlazerNation. The @VSULadyBlazers just took one of the best teams in the country down to the wire, and they could not have represented you any better. More to come at vstateblazers.com...
3
3
32
Agree. Kids come in and have ZERO concept of defense, help side, help and recover, close outs. You name it 🥴
2
5
32
Played 1 day of pick up and the ENTIRE left side of my body is destroyed.. hip, back, knee, ankle, plantar fascia😭😭😭😭
7
34
4,698
It is uncomfortable but it is NECESSARY. We must have difficult conversations. We must give our athletes that feel they must “shut up and dribble” a space to be open and honest about how they feel. Their mental health depends on it!!! Let’s zoom call about that.
9
29
The past 6 years with you have changed my life in the most tremendous way. I’m forever indebted to you for the trust, faith, and confidence you instilled in me as a woman & coach. My family FOR LIFE 🫶🏽💙🤞🏾
1
33
1,341
Only had the pleasure of coaching these 8 for a season. But each of them taught me something different that I’ll hold on to forever. Super grateful for them and all of their brilliance. Miss them already 😭💙🐶❤️
1
3
30
Really enjoyed watching all the hoopers the past week. Y’all are SO tough!! A lot of games played in a little time and y’all pushed thru. Proud of each and every 1 of ya! ✨❤️🐶
27
What an honor and privilege to be back at our Alma mater!! Benji is a worker and a winner. So glad to work alongside him everyday 🤙🏾🩵
Chandler Merkerson and Benji Mastandrea returned to their roots to coach the next generation of Ospreys at their alma mater.
Learn more about them and their journey back to Jacksonville!
READ >> bit.ly/3KdD65m
#SWOOP
3
5
29
6,770
Happy Birthday to the most genuine, most selfless person I know. Incredible leader, amazing person. I’m beyond grateful to be going into year 4 with you! @CoachKuhns we all love you & couldn’t be happier to be on your team!! 🎈🎉❤️🐐💃🏽
1
1
28
Happy Birthday to my Favorite!!!! My Boss, Partner in snacking and Forever lunch date. So glad to be on your team. Love ya!! #TurnUpTime #CheersToManyMore 🎊🎉🎈😌🤞💃🏻👯♀️@CoachKuhns
1
1
28
So proud of this squad!! Battled back from a 19 point deficit to get the win over a tough West Alabama team! 🔥😎 It’s gonna be a very Merry Christmas 🎁🎄
5
27
Competed in 3 championship games✔️
Won 1 🏆✔️
Sweet 16 appearance✔️
3 21+ win seasons✔️
Hats off to this SPECIAL, SPECIAL group!! Love you all ❤️💪🏾
These 6 seniors have laid the foundation for a very BRIGHT future of Lady Blazer Basketball. Thank you for investing and believing. Thank you for choosing VSU! We love you!🔥😎🔥
4
26
Constantly evaluating myself and trying to be better. I was not who or what I needed to be last year. Improving in all aspects! 🙏🏽
1
10
26
No losses, only lessons.
No crew I’d rather go to war with.
No doubt we’ll bounce back!
1
26
4,451
🐶🐶🐶🐶
🚐🚐🚐
We're hitting the road looking for future Bulldogs!
Be on the 👀 to see if we're coming near you...
#AllForSAMford🐶🐾
3
25
Always Always Always, be in touch with your own truth rather than the perception of someone else’s reality. #2020Vision
5
23
So good to have @OspreyWBB Great Destinee Smith (and my former roommate and one of the greatest humans on earth) stop by campus this week!! 💙 You for life!! @iSingiBall
2
1
25
2,875
Can’t brag on my boss enough. Couldn’t have a better woman to look up to and work with. Such an incredible coach & human being. You have taken this program to new heights and I’m happy to be in your corner. Love you Carleysha! ❤️🔥@CoachKuhns
2
3
25
Undefeated at Home 👏🏽Way to protect the Plex!!!! Thanks to Blazer Nation for giving us a true home court advantage!! 😎🔥🏠#NoPlaceLikeHome
13-0 at home. Has a nice little ring to it. 🔥🏀🔥 @VSULadyBlazers
1
4
22
The most amazing HUMAN I know. Nobody more deserving. I’m soooo proud of you! ❤️
I'm excited to announce that I've accepted the head coaching position at @SamfordWBB!
VSU has been incredibly precious to my family and me and could not have prepared me any better for this new, exciting opportunity with the Bulldogs!
Can't wait to get to work!
#AllForSAMford
1
1
23