Jax State taps Austin
- Updated: March 30, 2026
Long-time Spring Garden coach, husband of former Jax State coach to give college coaching a try with Gamecocks.
By Shannon Fagan
WEIS Sports Director
JACKSONVILLE – One of the most illustrious high school basketball coaches in the state of Alabama is now taking his talent to the collegiate level.
Spring Garden girls basketball coach Ricky Austin is taking over the Jacksonville State women’s basketball program from former Gamecock coach Rick Pietri. Pietri announced his retirement from coaching back on March 12. The Gamecocks went 16-16 last season, including a 9-9 mark in Conference USA play.
A press conference is scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Pete Mathews Coliseum.
“I am incredibly honored for the opportunity to lead the women’s basketball program at Jac State,” Austin said in a JSU press release on Monday. “This is a place that means a great deal to me and my family. I’m excited to invest in our student athletes, build strong relationships, and compete for championships. I’ve always believed in focusing on the process and trying to win each day, and that approach will continue here.”
Austin took over the girls basketball program at Spring Garden in 1996 and has compiled almost 800 wins, along with over 200 victories on the boys side. Austin also has accumulated 688 victories in volleyball.
Through the years, Austin’s teams have collected 23 area and 17 county championships, made 17 Final Fours, and 12 state final appearances. He’s led Spring Garden to nine state titles in basketball and three more in volleyball. Austin has also been honored as the Alabama Sports Writers Association Coach of the Year eight times.
The court at Dale Welsh Gymnasium in Spring Garden was named in Austin’s honor in April of 2018. He was inducted into the Alabama High School Sports Hall of Fame on March 23.
“Ricky Austin represents everything we value in a head coach at Jax State,” Jacksonville State University Vice President for Athletics Greg Seitz said in the university’s press release. “He is a proven winner, a developer of people, and a leader who understands how to build a championship culture. His impact extends far beyond the court, and we are excited about the future of our program under his leadership.”
Austin’s wife, Dana, coached the Gamecocks for 10 years following an illustrious basketball career at JSU. She resigned in 2003 after accumulating an overall record of 115-163 during her tenure as head coach. She led six teams to postseason tournament play and was the Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year in 1997.
A Kodak All-American for JSU, Dana Austin scored 2,128 points in her collegiate career from 1987-91. She, along with her sister Jana, are the only two female athletes at JSU to have their jerseys retired.
You can read more on this breaking news following tomorrow’s press conference.
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