Since arriving at Howard University for the 2015–2016 season, Tiesha “Ty” Grace has methodically transformed the women’s basketball program into a championship contender and national story — delivering multiple conference titles, elevating the visibility of HBCU athletics, and leading the Bison to their first-ever NCAA Tournament victory in 2022.  

At the center of that rise is Grace herself — composed, commanding, and unwavering in her belief that her program and her players belong on every stage. 

For Grace, coaching isn’t simply about wins. It’s about purpose. 

Grace’s journey to leading Howard’s women’s basketball program is grounded in both discipline and identity. A former standout player at the University of New Haven, she understands the game from the inside out — its physical demands, its mental toughness, and its power to transform. 

But what separates Grace isn’t just her basketball IQ — it’s her clarity of mission. At an HBCU like Howard, she sees coaching as stewardship.  

A Culture of Expectation, Not Excuses 

When Grace, who has an overall 249-191 career record, took the helm in 2015, she inherited a program that was a combined 60-88 in the five seasons prior to her arrival.  She came to Howard after two seasons as head coach at her alma mater, going 44-16. She also spent time as an assistant coach at Seton Hall University and the United States Military Academy.  

What she built is a program with standards. Grace proudly speaks about her team’s collective 3.3 GPA, and the persistence of student-athletes who’ve endured injuries and personal setbacks, refusing to give nothing but their best throughout the season.  

Her teams play with cohesion; a mentality she says was solidified when they took a cultural trip to Portugal last summer. That energy carried over into the start of the 2025-26 season, and the Bison never took their foot off the gas. There was the 66-64 win over Cincinnati in Ohio — the program’s first win over a Power Four team. The undefeated home record (11-0), which included a win over Fairfield, the second-ranked mid-major in the country at the time, and the 10-game win streak to close out the regular season. The Bison went 3-0 in the MEAC Tournament, defeating Norfolk State 53-46 — its first conference championship win since 2022, and first finals win over Norfolk State in four consecutive finals appearances. Grace was also celebrated throughout the tournament, being named MEAC Coach of the Year and Outstanding Coach of the Tournament. Earlier this week, the accolades continued with Grace being named the 2026 BOXTOROW HBCU National Women’s Coach of the Year, an award presented annually to the top head coach in Division 1 HBCU Women’s college basketball.  

Basketball coach Ty Grace has been named BOXTOROW HBCU National Women’s Coach of the Year, presented annually to the top head coach in Division I HBCU women’s college basketball.  

Grace believes that her team’s success is due to a culture rooted in accountability. Players talk about structure, sharing how Grace pushes them not just to perform, but to grow. Practices are intentional. Communication is direct. Expectations are high and non-negotiable. 

That culture has translated into results— six consecutive trips to the MEAC Championship game between 2021 and 2026. Three MEAC titles. A WNIT win at Burr Gymnasium last season — the first-ever postseason basketball game and win on campus. Back-to-back 20+ win seasons. And this year’s No. 14 seed in the NCAA Tournament, the highest seed for any Howard basketball team — men's or women’s. Conference titles. National attention. A program that is garnering attention for its coach and the student athletes she fiercely leads. Kery Davis, vice president and director of Athletics, lauded Grace during a reception prior to the MEAC title game earlier this month. 

“I’m proud of a lot of things that I’ve done since coming to Howard. Unfortunately, I can’t take credit for hiring Coach Grace since she was hired a few months before I started. However, I was smart enough to keep her on board and renew her contract (in 2024),” Davis joked. “But; there’s no doubt that Coach Grace is one of the top coaches in women's basketball. Her student athletes have prospered on the court, in the classroom, and in the community. She's excelled in developing a championship culture into this program and, because of her, the future of Howard women's basketball is incredibly bright.” 

 The success that we’ve had this season is proof that opportunities for visibility on national stages are possible for HBCU student athletes. We’re also showing that we’re capable of playing with major conferences and not shrinking.” 

Coaching the Whole Woman and Setting Standards 

Ask Grace what matters most, and her answer extends far beyond the court. 

She is deeply invested in developing “complete student-athletes” — young women who are prepared for life after Howard. That means academic discipline, emotional intelligence, and leadership. It means understanding how to navigate spaces where they may be underestimated and yet still excel. This is something that has often happened to HBCU athletes, but not for long if Grace has anything to do with it.  

“If you pay attention to basketball and if you’re a fan of women’s basketball, you know that each year, these teams, especially HBCUs, are trying to take things to another level,” Grace said. “The success that we’ve had this season is proof that opportunities for visibility on national stages are possible for HBCU student athletes. We’re also showing that we’re capable of playing with major conferences and not shrinking.” 

Grace leads with a quiet authority — firm, but not performative. She doesn’t need theatrics to command respect. She isn’t racing up and down the court like some other coaches do. Instead, she builds trust through consistency. 

In an era where student athletes are navigating more visibility, more pressure, and more opportunity than ever before, Grace’s steady leadership provides grounding. She meets her players where they are — but never leaves them there. 

Winning, the Howard Way 

Under Grace, Howard women’s basketball isn’t just winning games — it’s telling a story. A story about excellence at an HBCU. About Black women leading, competing, and thriving at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. 

Each championship, each NCAA appearance, each moment in the spotlight reinforces what Grace already believes: that Howard belongs on every national stage. 

Grace isn’t just building a program — she’s making history and shaping a legacy. 

“What we’re seeing now is something that we knew was going to happen,” Grace said, reflecting on the goals she set when training began last year. “We’ve tasted what it’s like to be in the (NCAA) tournament and we know what’s required to get there. We have set a standard and we’re going to keep on doing what's required to keep moving forward.”