By SAM STAFF/Sports Writer

HATTIESBURG — Former Hancock High standout Jessica Pucheu Garriga has been named the new women’s basketball head coach at William Carey University.

Garriga was recently elevated from her post as an assistant coach to become the fifth Head Coach for Women’s Basketball in program history. She served as the Assistant Women’s Coach for the last ten seasons and officially takes the reigns from longtime mentor now Athletics Director Tracy English.

English and Garriga helped guide Carey to a perfect 25-0 regular season last year.
“I’m incredibly honored to be chosen as the new women’s head basketball coach at my alma mater,” says Garriga. “I’d like to thank our administration for this amazing opportunity. From the president’s office, the campus staff, and the players, the support here is second to none. I’m excited to continue the tradition of this program and look forward to getting to work immediately. I want to say a special thank you to my family for being so patient and allowing me the chance to chase my dreams.”

A native of the Kiln, Garriga first arrived at William Carey in 2001 as a transfer point guard from Southern Miss. During her freshman year at USM, she was sidelined by an ACL injury and later transferred to Pearl River Community College for her sophomore year. She played two years as a Crusader and was a 2003 All-GCAC selection. I

In 2014, Garriga’s #10 jersey was retired at Hancock High School where she holds the school record for most points in a single game (42) and total career points (2,751).  Garriga joined the Crusader basketball coaching staff in the fall of 2015 and has been a part of two conference championship teams.

In 2019, Garriga was elected as Chair of the SSAC Women’s Leadership Committee. She received the 2020 SSAC Woman of the Year Award. In 2020-2021 she helped lead the Lady Crusaders to second place finish in the SSAC West division, posting a record of 14-5 (10-4). In 2022, Garriga was selected to attend the NAIA Governance and Leadership Academy in Kansas City, MO and was named Assistant Athletic Director- Senior Woman Leader (SWL) at WCU. 

In 2024, Garriga helped lead the Lady Crusaders to an SSAC Conference Championship and an NAIA Opening Round appearance, the first of such since 2006. They finished the season with a record of 22-5 (15-3). The 2025 season was a banner year for Carey as they finished the regular season undefeated, also a first for William Carey, en route to being named SSAC Regular Season Champions. The Lady Crusaders finished the season in the NAIA Tournament with a final record of 26-2 overall. For her efforts, Garriga was named the WBCA NAIA Assistant Coach of the Year.
“We are so excited to name Jessica as our fifth women’s head basketball coach at William Carey,” English said. “I believe that she is the person who will take us to the next level. Jess loves the game and this university. That along with her work ethic and knowledge of coaching basketball puts our program in great hands. She has the ability to mold young people into mature athletes. I can’t wait to see the Lady Crusaders play next year!”

Garriga earned her Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from William Carey in 2004 and a Master of Science with emphasis in Mathematics Education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2009. She also serves in the William Carey School of Natural and Behavioral Sciences as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics. She is a member of the Women’s’ Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and Women Leaders in Sports.
Garriga has been married to her husband, Jeremy Garriga, for 22 years and they have three daughters (Jacey, Jenna, and Jaleigh).

Jenna will be a junior for the Lady Crusaders squad this coming season.