Mossi Staples enters her second year at Norfolk State as Director of Operations and Assistant Coach in 2025-27.
In her first season, Staples helped guide the Spartans to an 18-15 record, a fifth consecutive appearance in the MEAC Championship game, and the program’s second-ever berth in the WNIT. She also played a key role in developing MEAC Defensive Player of the Year Jasha Clinton, All-MEAC First Team selection Da’Brya Clark, and All-MEAC Second Team honorees Clinton and Anjanae Richardson.
Staples helped establish Norfolk State as one of the nation’s top defensive teams, ranking second in field goal percentage defense (33.8), third in 3-point field goal percentage defense (25.5), 10th in steals per game (12.4), 21st in blocks per game (5.0), and 23rd in turnovers forced per game (20.8).
Staples joined Norfolk State after spending one season as a graduate assistant under Coach Woods at Coppin State, where she helped the Eagles to a 19-15 record and the program’s second postseason victory with a WNIT first-round win over Colgate.
Prior to her coaching career, Staples played three seasons at Coppin State. As a junior, she averaged 13.3 points and 4.0 rebounds per game, earning All-MEAC Second Team honors. She finished second in the MEAC in free throws made (107) and ranked fifth in scoring.
She also earned All-MEAC Third Team recognition in her first season at Coppin State, ranking second in the league and 28th nationally in steals per game (2.6).
Staples began her collegiate career at Northeastern, where she posted the second-best free throw percentage in the CAA (81.8 percent). As a freshman, she earned CAA Rookie of the Week honors following a performance against Hartford, recording five points, four rebounds, and two steals.
A standout at Oxon Hill High School (Md.), Staples scored more than 1,000 career points and recorded a single-game high of 32 points. She was recognized as the top defender in the state and earned team MVP honors twice.
