Bluefield, WV — A new chapter is underway for Bluefield State Women's Basketball as Porsha "Coach Po" Graves begins her first season as head coach. After serving as an assistant coach last season, Graves was promoted to lead the program and has put together a staff that combines years of coaching experience with several familiar faces who know what it means to be a Big Blue.
Joining Graves on the sideline are assistant coach Byron Brown, along with former Bluefield State players Jayla Sample, Tianna Rhodes, and Dani Janutolo. Together, the staff brings a mixture of experience, leadership, familiarity with the program, and a strong commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the court.
Brown brings more than two decades of coaching experience to the staff and has worked with both men's and women's basketball programs. His coaching background includes an emphasis on developing post players and building effective offensive systems. Brown and Graves also have a connection that goes back to their time together as assistant coaches at Greensboro College.
Throughout his career, Brown has helped turn programs into contenders. At Hilliard High School, he helped guide a team from single-digit wins to a district championship and a state playoff appearance in just one season. He later continued that success at Baldwin High, helping the program capture a district championship and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history. His experience and knowledge of the game will provide Graves with a veteran presence on the coaching staff.
While Brown provides years of coaching experience, Graves will also have three former Bluefield State players helping continue the culture of the program.
Jayla Sample returns to Bluefield State as a Graduate Assistant Coach after spending three years as a student-athlete with the Big Blue. During her playing career, Sample was known for her maturity, leadership, work ethic, and dedication. As a former player, she understands the expectations of the program and can relate directly to the current student-athletes as she begins her coaching career.
Tianna Rhodes also remains with the program after competing for Bstate for two seasons. As she finishes her degree, Rhodes will bring the same toughness and competitive spirit she displayed as a player to the sidelines. Known as a fierce competitor and leader, Rhodes has an opportunity to help instill that same mentality and work ethic in the current roster.
Rounding out the group is Dani Janutolo, who returns to Bluefield State after graduating in 2023. Janutolo made her mark on the court with her defensive intensity and instincts and remains the program's all-time leader in steals. Although she is beginning a new chapter as a coach, her playing experience and knowledge of the program give her plenty to pass along to the next generation of Big Blue players.
With Graves stepping into her first season as head coach, the staff represents both a new beginning and a connection to the history of Bluefield State Women's Basketball. Brown brings a wealth of coaching experience, while Sample, Rhodes, and Janutolo bring firsthand knowledge of what it means to wear a Bstate uniform.
As Coach Po begins building her vision for the program, the Big Blue will enter the new season with a coaching staff focused on developing players, establishing a strong culture, and continuing to move Bluefield State Women's Basketball forward.
