MJ Baker
Head Coach
Emporia State University Director of Athletics David Spafford has announced that Melissa (MJ) Baker has been named the ninth head coach of the Lady Hornet basketball program. An introductory press conference will be held on late next week in the Sauder Alumni Center on the Emporia State campus.
“I am honored and humbled to accept the role as Head Coach of the historic Lady Hornet Basketball program at Emporia State University,” said Baker. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to President Ken Hush, Director of Athletics David Spafford, and Senior Associate AD Steve Rodecap for believing in me and entrusting me with this incredible opportunity.”
Baker has won 334 games as a collegiate coach and comes to Emporia State after an eight year run at Eastern Florida State College. She went 183-58 with three conference championships and three trips to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament during her time. She led the Titans to a 33-2 record and national semifinal appearance in 2023.
“Very excited to have Coach MJ join Hornet Nation to lead our Lady Hornet Women’s Basketball program,” said Spafford. "Coach Baker’s high energy, enthusiasm, integrity, passion for the game, work ethic and her ability to continually bring her programs to compete at a championship level year in and out were all factors in our process."
A winner at every stop along her coaching career, Baker has led every team she has coached to a conference championship and at least one 20 win season. A proven recruiter and developer of talent, 41 of her players at Eastern Florida have received full ride scholarships at four year institutions with 24 going on to NCAA Division I.
Each of her Titan squads has produced at least a 3.2 team GPA with her 2021 team posting a 3.84 to rank second in the nation in the NJCAA.
At this year's Women’s Final Four in Tampa, Baker was presented the Kay Yow “Heart of a Coach Award by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Named for the late North Carolina State coaching icon Kay Yow, the “Heart of a Coach” Award is presented annually by FCA to honor a basketball coach who has exemplified biblical principles over the course of his or her career. Baker has been the Director of the Eastern Florida FCA Chapter for the last two years. In that capacity she has organized and run one to two huddle meetings a month for all of the student-athletes on the ESFC campus.
“I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Eastern Florida State College for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible community,” said Baker. “I’m especially grateful to Athletic Director Jeff Carr and President Jim Richey for their belief in me, their support, and the chance to lead and grow within a first-class athletic department. It has truly been a blessing.”
Prior to Eastern Florida, Baker spent three seasons at Broward College. She went 65-20 with two conference championships in her three years in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. She spent three seasons at NAIA member Bluefield College. She led the Lady Rams to a 51-46 record with a pair of runner-up conference finishes. In her final two seasons at the Virginia school, Baker led Bluefield to three wins over Top 25 teams.
Baker’s first collegiate coaching stop was at Spartanburg Methodist in Spartanburg, S.C. After going 14-13 in her first season she took the Pioneers to a 21-11 overall record and undefeated conference championship in her second year.
Baker began her head coaching career at John Curtis HS in River Ridge, La., winning back to back state championships in 2008 and 2009.
As a player, Baker excelled both on and off the court and still holds season and career records for rebounding and blocked shots at the University of West Florida, where she was an honorable mention All-American as well as the UWF Female Athlete of the Year in 2005. She also was the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2004 and made the Gulf South Conference All-Academic team in 2005. A native of Delaware, Ohio, Baker earned a bachelors in Psychology at West Florida, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Following her college career, Baker played professionally in Germany.
Baker and her husband, Ganon, have three children, Kayonna, Kalel and Espn.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Emporia State community,” said Baker. “We are excited about the future and truly grateful to be part of a university with such rich tradition and passionate support.”