South Carolina State University Men's Basketball

Bernie Coaxum enters his second season as an assistant coach for men's basketball at South Carolina State University. Coaxum joined the Bulldog program after spending five seasons at Newberry College, where he coached multiple all-conference performers, as well as an NBCA All-Region honoree. He also assisted in leading the Wolves to multiple upset victories over top-five opponents and a trip to the South Atlantic Conference Tournament Semifinals in 2022.   Bernie also spent a season as assistant coach at Pfeiffer University (NC). During that time, Coaxum played an important role in helping the Falcons compile a 26-5 overall record while winning the Conference Carolinas regular season championship. In addition, the Falcons were ranked nationally in the NCAA Division II polls and received an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament.   As the Falcons “defensive coordinator”, Coaxum helped Pfeiffer finish the campaign ranked No. 1 in the country in forced turnovers; while also setting a program record for steals in a season (391) - which ranked 2nd nationally in NCAA Division II.   Prior to his time as a college coach, Coaxum spent two seasons as head coach at Coastal Christian Prep in Mount Pleasant, S.C. and another season in charge of Palmetto Scholars Academy in North Charleston, S.C.   His 2012 Coastal Christian team reached the South Carolina Independent Schools Athletics (SCISA) Class A state championship game and posted a 28-4 record. Coaxum was named SCISA Region IV Coach of the Year.   During his college career, he played one season at Anderson University for coach Doug Novak before transferring to Division I College of Charleston where he played for legendary Hall of Fame coach John Kresse.   While at College of Charleston, Coaxum was a member of the team that defeated the University of North Carolina and won the 2002 Great Alaska Shootout - with victories over Wyoming, Oklahoma State and Villanova. He was also part of the 2002-03 Cougars squad that finished with a 25-7 record and spent several weeks in the AP Top 25 before completing the campaign with a NIT Tournament postseason appearance.    A native of Mount Pleasant, S.C., Coaxum earned a B.A. degree in Corporate Communications from College of Charleston in 2004.  

Jarelle Redden is in his first season on the Bulldog men's basketball coaching staff. Redden roles will include on the court coaching, recruiting, mentoring, and managing all social media duties pertaining to the men's basketball program.   Prior to South Carolina State, he most recently served as the Head Boys' Basketball Coach (2017-2024) at Woodard Career Technical High School (Cincinnati, OH), where he was an assistant coach (2013-17) before being promoted to the top spot.   Redden was also an assistant at Lockland High School (Cincinnati, Ohio), before embarking on a professional career with various organizations overseas and in the states from 2009-11, before spending a season with the Harlem Globetrotters of New York, New York from 2011-12.   Before his professional career, he played prep basketball at Western Hills High School, then at Cincinnati State, were he played for Coach Martin.  In his first year, Redden was named one of the top 20 freshman in the country, earning 1st Team All-Conference, and 2nd Team All-Region honors.   During his sophomore year, Redden was named 1st Team All-Conference, 1st Team All-Region and Honorable Mention All-American. After that he went on the close out his collegiate playing career with stops at Ball State University and University of North Alabama.   Redden is also the co-founder of 4D United, an organization that offer opportunities for all student-athletes in basketball to become A better person, A better student, A better basketball player, while demonstrating good sportsmanship and integrity in life.   4D United's mission is to offer quality experiences which will enable all student-athletes to maximize their growth and ability through the core values of Determination, Dedication, Desire, and Discipline.   During his coaching career, he was named 2022 CMAC Coach of the Year, and 2018 Enquirer Coach of the Year, while earning two conference and district championships each. In 2022 his team advanced and was named Regional Runner-Up and District Runner-Up in 2023.   As a coach, Redden amassed a record of 111-61 overall, with a postseason record of 17-8.  Fifteen (16) of his former players earned college scholarships.   Some of the notables he has coached are Terry Durham (West Alabama),  Hakeem Thomas (Clark State), Shayne Sims (Clark State), Dionte McBride (Hocking College), Aaron Davis (Lakeland Community College/Purdue Northwestern), Brandon Cromer (Malcom X Community College ), Wendell Hughes (Clark State), William Burns ( Edison State), Santana Cole (Cincinnati), Keliese Frye (Trinidad State) Kanye Moreland (Miles College), Marci Winn (Notre Dame), Damarion Hughes (Notre Dame College), Paul McMillan IV (Central Michigan/Canisius University ),  Jay'Quan Bostic (Toledo), Ru Mills (NE Mississippi Community College), Donte Ferrell (Hutch Community College), and Jeremiah Hughes(Enterprise State Community College).   A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Redden earned his Associate of Arts Degree from Cincinnati State Community College in 2006, followed by a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and minor in Marketing from North Alabama University in 2009.   He is the proud father of one daughter, McKenzie Redden, 11 years old.