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Cedric Baker Resigns as SSU Women’s Basketball Head Coach

Exciting match during a women's basketball game

News Summary

Cedric Baker has announced his resignation from the head coach position of Savannah State University’s women’s basketball team to take up a new role at South Carolina State University. With a remarkable 22-year tenure at SSU, Baker leaves behind a legacy as the program’s winningest coach, having achieved 262 career victories and notable NCAA tournament success. His emphasis on academic and athletic excellence has set high standards, prompting SSU to begin a search for his successor to maintain the program’s success.

Savannah

Cedric Baker has resigned as head coach of the Savannah State University (SSU) women’s basketball team, effective May 16, 2025, to take on a new role as the women’s basketball coach at South Carolina State University (SCSU). After 22 years with SSU, where he served as head coach of the women’s program since 2003, Baker leaves behind a legacy as the winningest coach in the program’s history.

During his time at SSU, Baker compiled an impressive 262 career victories, which solidified his status as the longest-serving head coach for women’s basketball in the school’s history. Under his leadership, the Lady Tigers made significant achievements, including two NCAA Tournament appearances and capturing a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) Tournament title. Additionally, his teams secured two Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) Divisional Championships.

Baker, a native of Columbus, Georgia, has a deep-rooted connection to the state, having spent much of his adult life in South Carolina prior to moving to Savannah. He graduated from Voorhees University in 1990, where he not only played basketball but also served as the women’s basketball head coach for seven years. Following this, he spent three years coaching at Benedict College before transitioning to SSU.

Throughout his coaching tenure, Baker was recognized for his contributions to the game, earning three Coach of the Year awards. His coaching career spanned both NCAA Division I and Division II eras, showcasing his adaptability and commitment to the sport. He was particularly known for implementing analytics into his coaching strategies and focusing on defensive gameplay, which resulted in noteworthy rankings in 3-point defense and scoring defense during various seasons.

Baker placed strong emphasis on academic success, leading two of his teams to record perfect Academic Progress Rate (APR) scores of 1000. Notably, during the 2021-22 season, his team made history by starting with a school record of 14 consecutive wins and ending the season with a remarkable 27-3 record, tying the school record for the most wins in a season.

As Baker transitions to his new role, Savannah State University will initiate a national search for his successor as head women’s basketball coach. This search will commence immediately to ensure a smooth transition and continuity for the Lady Tigers’ program moving forward. The university is expected to evaluate candidates with an aim to uphold the standards of excellence exemplified during Baker’s tenure.