Tesla Southcott begins her third season in charge of the Concord women's basketball program in 2024-25.

After a 14-17 record in her first season, Southcott and the Mountain Lions were on the right side of .500 in her second season as they finished 17-13 and advanced to the MEC Tournament Semifinals for the second time in as many years. 

Both Abbie Smith and Jaisah Smith have earned All-MEC honors in each of Southcott's two seasons with J. Smith making All-MEC First Team in 2023-24.

Employing a tenacious, full-court press defense, Southcott's 2023-24 team finished top 20 in Division II in both steals per game and turnovers forced by contest.

A native of nearby Princeton, and an assistant coach under the recently-retired Kenny Osborne for the previous eight seasons, Southcott is no stranger to the Concord women's basketball program. With her guidance on the bench, she has helped the Mountain Lions climb to the top of the MEC over the last five seasons.

From 2017-18 through 2021-22, CU had a record of 86-50 with only three other schools in the conference posting more wins over that time.

"I've had a passion and love for Concord ever since I came to Coach Osborne's camp as a nine-year old in 2000," Southcott at the time of her promotion to head coach. "My passion for CU and the game of basketball has allowed me some great fortunes in my lifetime and being the head coach of this great institution is at the top of the list," she continued. "I look forward to carrying on the winning tradition that Coach Osborne has established over the last two decades and I know with the respect our program has earned, we will take everyone's best shot on a nightly basis in the MEC."

During Southcott's time on the bench in Athens, Concord has had seven all-conference players with Riley Fitzwater and Madison May being selected to the all-region teams in three different seasons. And Fitzwater was twice named an All-American at CU under Southcott's leadership.

Before retiring at the beginning of May, Osborne had six 20-wins seasons during his 22-year stint at Concord and Southcott was alongside for three of those 20-win campaigns (2018-19, 2019-20, 2021-22).

In addition to her duties on game day, Southcott served as Concord's recruiting coordinator for the last eight seasons recruiting key players for CU's success over the last half decade.

The local product was a standout at Princeton Senior High School from 2005-2009, and was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2016. She went on to have an outstanding playing career at Division III Ferrum College in Ferrum, Virginia. She was a 1,000-point scorer and helped the Panthers win 86 games over four years.

At the conclusion of her senior season in 2012-13, Southcott was a named Women's Basketball Coaches' Association (WBCA) Division III Honorable Mention All-American.

She is the seventh head coach in program history.
 
Southcott resides in Princeton with her husband, Austin, and their two children, a daughter, Taytum and son, Trey.