Fayette-Ware Names New Lady Wildcats Head Coach

Somerville, Tennessee – Coach Jireh Washington is a passionate and accomplished basketball professional who brings a wealth of knowledge to Fayette County Public Schools. An Arkansas State University class of 2022 graduate, Coach Washington holds a degree in Sports Management and a Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies from the University Of Texas At Arlington.

Coach Washington seamlessly integrates her rigorous academic journey with a distinguished playing career. Her athletic expertise has been further enriched by an internship with the Memphis Grizzlies.

Throughout her playing years, Coach Washington showcased exceptional leadership skills and intuitive understanding of the game. As a player, she excelled at both Arkansas State and UTA, earning numerous accolades including Preseason First Team All-WAC and Preseason Second Team All-Sun Belt honors. She consistently led her teams in both assists and points, achieving a career best 30-point game in the Sun Belt quarterfinals during the 2021-2022 season.

Coach Washington’s playing career has provided her with an invaluable perspective for her role as head coach. Drawing on her experience on the court, Coach Washington emphasizes skill development, teamwork, and strong work ethic as part of her coaching philosophy.

As a coach, she is committed to the holistic development of her players, instilling core values that facilitate growth both on and off the court. Coach Washington is dedicated to building a competitive, cohesive program and inspiring the next generation of athletes. With a robust background in both playing and leadership, Coach Washington is poised to have a significant impact on the Fayette-Ware’s basketball program.

Washington completed an illustrious career with 1,442 points, 485 rebounds, 421 assists, and 198 steals over 117 games (98 starts), which included a final season at UTA in which she recorded career-bests in rebounds and assists per game. In total, she produced 78 games with 10 plus points in her career, including 16 games with at least 20 points. She also registered four double-doubles.

Coach Washington states, “I am excited about joining the FCPS family and the Fayette-Ware family! Success is not just about winning on the scoreboard, but about nurturing the potential within each player and fostering a true love for the game. As a coach, my greatest fulfillment comes from witnessing my players grow as individuals, both in their skills and character, and knowing that I have played a part in shaping their journey to success.”

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