Southern University & A&M College Women's Softball

Brittney Williams enters her fifth season as head softball coach at Southern University, continuing to build momentum for the Lady Jaguars program. Williams guided Southern to a breakthrough campaign in 2025, posting 22 wins, the program’s highest total since 2008. The Lady Jaguars also earned a berth in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) Tournament for the second consecutive season and for the third time under Williams’ leadership. In 2024, Southern finished 16–27 overall and 12–12 in SWAC play, showing steady progress and returning once again to the conference tournament. The 2023 season opened on a national stage at the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic in Clearwater, Florida, where Southern faced Illinois, Louisville, No. 17 Kentucky, and St. John’s. The opener against Illinois carried special significance, as the Fighting Illini are coached by Williams’ sister, Tyra Perry. The matchup with Kentucky marked just the fifth time in program history that Southern faced a ranked opponent, and the first against a ranked team from outside Louisiana. In her first season on the Bluff, Williams led the Lady Jaguars to a 16–34 overall record and an 11–13 mark in SWAC play. Those 11 conference wins were the program’s most since 2010, and Southern advanced to the SWAC Tournament quarterfinals for the second straight year. Prior to arriving at Southern, Williams spent two seasons as head coach at East Ascension High School. Before that, she coached for three years at Zachary High School, helping lead the program to the state championship game in two of her three seasons. Williams comes from a strong athletic family. Her sisters were student-athletes at LSU, while her brother competed at Belhaven University. Her eldest sister, Tyra Perry, currently serves as head coach at the University of Illinois. Adding to her connection to Southern, both of Williams’ parents are graduates of the university. A two-time graduate of Western Kentucky University (2009, 2013), Williams was a four-year letterwinner for the Hilltoppers softball program. She earned Academic All-American honors and was named WKU’s Outstanding Graduate Student. A Baton Rouge native, Williams was valedictorian and senior class president at Northeast High School in 2006. She is married to Tasmin Williams, a homebound teacher for East Baton Rouge Parish Schools, and together they have three children: Marlee, Tia, and Tasmin Williams II.

Southern University head softball coach Brittney Williams announced the addition of Alex Stephens to the Lady Jaguars coaching staff as an assistant coach on September 9, 2025. Stephens joins Southern after serving as an assistant coach at her alma mater, Zachary High School during the 2024–25 season. In her time with the Broncos, she helped guide the program to a runner-up finish in district play and an appearance in the bi-district round of the state playoffs. A native and graduate of Zachary, Louisiana, Stephens was a standout player for the Broncos, earning First Team All-District honors as both an infielder and utility player, along with All-Metro recognition. She was one of the area’s most consistent hitters, posting the highest batting average in her district during both her junior and senior seasons. In travel ball, Stephens competed with Blazers Elite 16U and Blazers Gold 18U, capturing national championships with both teams. Her playing career continued at Louisiana State University–Eunice, where she helped lead the Bengals to a national runner-up finish. Following her playing days, Stephens began her coaching career working with several respected programs, including Legendz, Lady Lightning, Blazers Elite Gold, and Northwestern Middle School before returning to Zachary High School. Through these experiences, she developed a comprehensive coaching philosophy centered on player development, leadership, and teamwork. Coming from a family deeply rooted in athletics — her mother played softball at ULM, her brother played football, and her sister currently serves as the head volleyball coach at Live Oak High School — Stephens’ lifelong exposure to sports has shaped her passion for mentoring and motivating the next generation of student-athletes.  

Coach Joshua Sanford enters his second season with the Lady Jaguars softball team as assistant coach where he specializes in infielders and power hitters.  Coach Sanford is a proud alumnus of Southern University where he marched in the "Human Jukebox" and majored in Health and Physical Education. Coach Sanford is a native of Zachary, La and resides in Baton Rouge, LA.  Coach Sanford has been coaching for seven years. Coach Sanford spent his first coaching job at Woodlawn High School, four years coaching at Scotlandville Magnet High School and his last two years coaching at Port Allen High School. Coach Sanford has help numerous athletes achieve all-district honors in his high school career as a coach.  Coach Sanford is very elated and blessed to be back on the Bluff to coach up a special group of young ladies who will bring the SWAC Championship back home. Go Jags!!!