Pensacola State College women’s basketball will have a new leader on the sidelines next season.
The school announced that Kayla Gordon, who spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at the University of Mississippi, as the program’s next head coach on July 14. She replaces longtime coach Clenita Bedford, who went 180-153 in 12 seasons leading the Pirates. PSC finished 15-14 in 2025-26.
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“Kayla’s experience as a highly accomplished student-athlete, professional and coach obviously brings tremendous value. She holds records as a Division I student-athlete and as a professional player, and she has coaching experience in the Southeastern Conference. The resume itself is impressive, but what stood out the most to us was her passion for developing young women,” Pensacola State College Athletic Director Bryan Lewallyn wrote in a press release announcing the hire.
“All the feedback we received kept coming back the same: she invests in and develops young women to be women of integrity and character because that’s who she is. She shares our commitment to developing leaders who excel in competition, in the classroom and in life. We are excited to welcome Kayla to PSC as the leader of our women’s basketball program.”
Kayla Gordon was named the new women’s basketball coach at Pensacola State College on July 14, 2026.
A Meridian, Mississippi native, Gordon helped assemble one of the nation’s top recruiting classes in her time at Ole Miss, helping lead the Rebels to NCAA Tournament appearances in both seasons, including a trip to the Sweet 16 in 2024-25. Before coming to Ole Miss, she spent three seasons at the coaching staff of her alma mater, Jacksonville University, as an assistant coach and recruiting coordiantor.
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Gordon starred at Jacksonville from 2014-18, totaling over 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. She remains the program’s all-time leading rebounder.
She earned Atlantic Sun Conference Freshman of the Year honors, was ASUN Defensive Player of the Year, First-Team All-Conference and a two-time ASUN Winner for Life selection, and helped lead the Dolphins to an ASUN Conference championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Gordon also played three seasons of professional basketball in Europe, including one season with Kronos in Greece, where she scored a single-game record 31 points.
“I am beyond excited to get to work, serve this community and represent Pensacola State with excellence,” Gordon said in a press release. “Pensacola State has a proud tradition, and I am honored to lead the next chapter of Lady Pirates basketball.”
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: PSC names Kayla Gordon women’s basketball head coach
