The Journey: Darrell Mosley earns first D-I head coaching job at Coppin State

On3’s Talia Goodman is showcasing women’s college basketball coaches taking over at new schools. This is the first edition of year two of the series – in which we’ll take a deeper look at some of the 60-plus coaches who took over new programs during a turbulent offseason. This time we learn more about Darrell Mosley, the new coach at Coppin State.

Darrell Mosley bio

BORN: Chester, PA

EXPERIENCE: 2010-15: Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach, Lincoln University, 2015-21: Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Lincoln University, 2021-22: Assistant Coach, University of Delaware, 2022-23: Assistant Coach, Arizona State University, 2023-25: Associate Head Coach, Arizona State University

PLAYED: Delaware State (2006-08), Lincoln (2008-10)

Why Coppin State?

Darrell Mosley has steadily worked his way up the coaching ranks – starting as a Division II assistant, then becoming a Division II head coach, and most recently serving as an assistant and associate head coach at two Division I programs under Natasha Adair. 

So when the chance to take over at Coppin State came along, Mosley was immediately interested. In fact, this wasn’t the first time he’d been in the running for the job.

“I was a finalist when this job opened [in 2022], and I didn’t get the job,” Mosley said. “They said I interviewed very well. They just kind of had to go in a different direction at the time…Ever since I left the head coaching seat, it was just a desire and a want that it’s time to get back in that head coaching seat and lead.”

But Mosley nearly ended up somewhere else this offseason. 

“When I left Arizona State, I was going to head to Auburn – a lot of people didn’t know that – with Larry Vickers, who transitioned from Norfolk State,” Mosley said. “Then, of course, with the transition of Coach [Jermaine] Woods leaving Coppin State to go to Norfolk State, it was kind of like, hold up.”

Mosley was excited about both opportunities, but this was his chance to get back in that head coaching seat. 

“I had a quick meeting with Coach Larry Vickers, and said, ‘Hey, man, this is a dream of mine to want to get back in the head coaching seat. This is the last box to check for me, because I feel like I’ve done it all but be a Division I head coach.’ These opportunities don’t happen often, so once it was presented to me, I definitely had to take the chance.” 

Between his prior relationships with the administration, the opportunity to return close to home and his experience recruiting in this region of the country, it felt like a perfect fit. 

Darrell Mosley’s coaching style, mindset

When Mosley accepted the job at Coppin State, time was ticking. The portal had already been open for several weeks and he had to get to work fast. Mosley has been recruiting players at the P5 level for the past several years, so he had to shift gears in the portal this time around.

“I was really just looking for those diamonds in the rough…,” Mosley said. “The biggest thing was really finding players that fit this level. I’m always going to recruit higher than my level, and I’m just one of those coaches that’s a relentless, aggressive recruiter. All you have to do is get the right family and the right kid to believe in you and your vision.”

Year one, he focused on adding high-character players who fit his culture. On the court, Mosley wants his teams to play fast, up-tempo basketball with an emphasis on defense.

“I’m looking for two-way players that can play both sides,” Mosley said. “I believe, when I was at Lincoln, we were number one in the conference in scoring, but also number two in points allowed. It’s kind of rare that you find that, but when you can find those individuals that can do both, and you just kind of harp on defense, it makes the offense more fun…it makes the offense even more potent.”

He knows there’s plenty of work to do, but his philosophy is simple: put in the work, build the culture, and get the best out of every player.

Something you may not know about Mosley

Mosley may look intense on the sidelines, but he likes to keep things light with his team as much as he can. While he’s still learning how to use the app, he’s a regular at performing TikTok dances with his players and bonding with the team.