Melissa “MJ” Baker is set to head Emporia State’s women’s basketball program following the exit of former head coach Brian Ostermann according to a press release by ESU Athletics published earlier last week. Baker will be the ninth head coach of the Lady Hornets.
“I am honored and humbled to accept the role as Head Coach of the historic Lady Hornet Basketball program at Emporia State University,” Baker said in the press release. “I want to express my deepest gratitude to President Ken Hush, Director of Athletics David Spafford, and Senior Associate AD Steve Rodecap for believing in me and entrusting me with this incredible opportunity.”
As a collegiate coach, Baker has won 334 games, led every team she has coached to a conference championship and at least one 20-win season.
During her eight-year stint coaching at Eastern Florida State College, Baker went 183-58 with three conference championships and three appearances to the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. She also helped the Titans to achieve a 33-2 record and a national semifinal appearance in 2023.
This year, Baker was awarded the Kay Yow “Heart of a Coach Award” at the Women’s Final Four by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Named for the late North Carolina State coaching icon Kay Yow, the award is presented annually by FCA to honor a basketball coach who conveyed biblical principles over the course of their career. Baker has directed the Eastern Florida FCA Chapter for the last two years.
Spafford said in the press release that he is “very excited to have Coach MJ join Hornet Nation.” He noted that Baker’s passion for basketball and ability to lead her teams to a championship each year played a role in the decision to bring her to ESU.
41 of Baker’s previous players at Eastern Florida have received full ride scholarships at four year institutions; 24 have gone on to play NCAA Division I. Her athletes have also shown success in their academics with a team grade point average of at least 3.2. In 2021, her team ranked second in the NJCAA for their 3.84 GPA.
“I would like to take a moment to sincerely thank Eastern Florida State College for the opportunity to be part of such an incredible community,” Baker said in the release. “I’m especially grateful to Athletic Director Jeff Carr and President Jim Richey for their belief in me, their support, and the chance to lead and grow within a first-class athletic department. It has truly been a blessing.”
Baker started her head coaching career at John Curtis High School in River Ridge, La., before taking her career to the collegiate level at Spartanburg Methodist in Spartanburg, S.C. There, she took her team to a 21-11 overall record and undefeated conference championship in her second year of coaching.
Prior to ESFC, she coached three seasons at Broward College, going 65-20 with two conference championships, and spent time at the NAIA level at Bluefield College. In three years at Bluefield, she coached the Lady Rams to a pair of runner-up conference finishes, a 51-46 record and, during her last two seasons, three wins over Top 25 teams.
Baker still holds season and career records for rebounding and blocked shots as a player for the University of West Florida. At UWF, she was named the Female Scholar Athlete of the Year in 2004, was named the 2005 UWF Athlete of the Year and made the Gulf South Conference All-Academic team in 2005. She also received honorable mention All-American.
Baker graduated with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and went on to play professionally in Germany after college.
“My family and I are thrilled to join the Emporia State community,” said Baker, who is married and a mom of three. “We are excited about the future and truly grateful to be part of a university with such rich tradition and passionate support.”
