Parham Released at Alabama A&M; Holt named Interim

Huntsville, Ala. - Alabama A&M women's basketball coach Press Parham has been relieved of his duties as head coach. Also assistant JoVanka Lewis has not been retained. Both Parham and Lewis have been reassigned to the office of the Director of Athletics until their contract expires on September 30. Parham's second assistant, Dexter Holt has been named the Interim Head Coach until the position is filled.

Parham has been a part of Alabama A&M athletics for 24 years after arriving in 1978 as the head baseball coach and assistant men's basketball coach. He had just completed his 20th season at the head of the program. During that time he has accumulated 323 wins in his career. Despite his successes, the Lady Bulldogs have endured five straight losing seasons since winning twenty games in 1998 and advancing to the NCAA Division II play-offs. The Lady Bulldogs have an overall record of 33-89 since moving to the Division I ranks following the 1998 season.

Parham became just the third women's basketball coach for the Lady Bulldogs when he replaced Vincent Royals in 1982. After leading the Lady Bulldogs to an 11-14 record his first season, he led them to the 1984 SIAC Championship with an overall record of 19-9. While under his tutelage, the Lady Bulldogs have won three SIAC Championships, two SIAC tournament titles, and three NCAA Division II playoff appearances. Parham players have also received 26 nationally recognized honors, including All-American and Regional Player of the Year awards.

Replacing Parham on an interim basis is Dexter Holt, a Huntsville native and a '96 graduate of A&M. Holt has just completed his second season as an assistant to Parham. During his playing career, he was a standout player for city legend Jerry Dugan at Lee High School in Huntsville. After graduating from Lee, he played for two years at Snead State Community College in Boaz, Alabama. In 1993 he came to Alabama A&M University and began his coaching career under men's basketball coach L. Vann Pettaway, serving as a student assistant, volunteer assistant, and eventually graduate assistant before joining Parham's staff.

Holt will remain the interim head coach until the position is filled.

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