Tony Bailey is in his sixth year as head coach of the women’s basketball program at Clark Atlanta University.
In his sixth season at the helm, Bailey was named SIAC Coach of the Year and has transformed the Lady Panthers into a consistent contender in the conference. During the 2024–25 season, he led Clark Atlanta to a 24–8 overall record (15–4 SIAC), highlighted by a season-opening win over fourth-ranked Division II powerhouse, the University of Tampa. Bailey guided the Lady Panthers to the 2024–25 SIAC Regular Season and Eastern Division championships. The team climbed as high as No. 7 in the NCAA Division II South Region rankings during the campaign. At the conclusion of the season, Bailey was selected as a coach for the HBCU All-Star Game, serving on Team Yolanda Laney.
In the 2022–23 season, Bailey led Clark Atlanta to an SIAC Eastern Division title in just his third full year as head coach.
In his six seasons, Coach Bailey mentored and coached seven Lady Panthers to all-conference honors, including Marissa Mandeldove (1st team - 2018), Lauren Turner (Preseason Defensive Player of the Year, 2nd team - 2018), Naomi Holloway (Freshman of the Year, Newcomer of the Year - 2018), Reyanna Miller (Honorable Mention - 2018), Trinity Jones (2nd team - 2024-25), Corriana Evans (Newcomer of the Year - 2021-22, 1st team - 2022 & 2024, Defensive Player of the Year - 2024-25, 2nd team - 2023), and Atreonia Garner (1st team - 2024-25).
Bailey spent two seasons as the Lady Panthers’ assistant coach. In his first season as assistant coach, he helped lead the Lady Panthers to a 20-9 record, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference East Division crown, the SIAC Tournament Championship, and an appearance in the NCAA Women’s Division II Basketball Tournament. Bailey also played an instrumental role in the mentoring and player development of two SIAC Freshman of the Year winners, Naomi Holloway (2017-18) and Reagan Jackson (2018-19). During that period, the Lady Panthers also had three other All-Conference players in Marissa Mandeldove (1st team), Lauren Turner (2nd team) and Reyana Miller (All-Conference Honorable Mention).
Prior to joining the Lady Panthers coaching staff, Bailey spent three seasons as an assistant women’s basketball coach at his alma mater, the University of West Georgia. His coaching experience also includes serving as assistant boys’ basketball coach and head boys ninth grade coach at New Manchester High School. Bailey’s ninth grade team finished 15-1 and won a region championship.
A native of Villa Rica, Ga., Bailey was an NJCAA All-American and All-Region player for East Central Community College (Ms.) from 1991-92. He spent one season at Division I Murray State University where he was a pre-season All-Conference selection. In his senior season, Bailey would go on to play for the University of West Georgia.
During his senior year at West Georgia in 1993-94, the Braves captured the Gulf South Conference East Division title and earned a berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament. He was the nations’ third-leading scorer, averaging 25.9 points per game and was among the nation’s leaders in three-point and free throw shooting percentage. Bailey ended his college basketball career with a 43-point performance in the NCAA Tournament against Central Missouri State. He was named 1994 Gulf South Conference Player of the Year, was a first team All-GSC and All-South Region selection, as well as a third-team Division II All-American. Bailey is also a West Georgia Hall of Famer, being inducted in 2003.
Bailey is a native of Villa Rica, Ga., and played basketball at Villa Rica High School. While there, he earned All-State, All-Region and Carroll County Player of the Year. In his senior season, he averaged 24 points and 12 rebounds, leading the Wildcats to their third-straight Georgia High School Association state tournament appearance.
Bailey earned a bachelor’s degree in Sport Management and Psychology from the University of West Georgia in 2012. He completed his master’s degree in Sports Management with a concentration in Athletic Administration in 2015 from Southern New Hampshire University.
Bailey and his wife Leslie have two children, daughter Tyler and son Khobi and are proud grandparents to their grandson, Khari Jace.
