Alonzo Banks was named the head coach of the Alcorn State University Track and Field and Cross-Country programs on May 15, 2023. Since his arrival, Banks has transformed the Braves into one of the fastest-rising programs in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), guiding athletes to conference titles, school records, NCAA regional qualifications, and national-level competitions.

In his first cross country season at Alcorn, Banks made an immediate impact at the 2023 SWAC Cross Country Championships. Under his leadership, Stellah Kiptui was crowned the individual champion and named Female Athlete of the Year, while Kelvin Kipkemboi claimed the men’s individual title and was named Male Athlete of the Year. The men’s team went on to secure a third-place finish—the program’s highest in years.

During the 2024 indoor season, Teresa captured double gold in the 3000m and 5000m, adding to Alcorn’s growing reputation for distance dominance. The momentum carried into the 2024 outdoor season, where standout Trellas Forrest ran 45.89 in the 400m to set a new school record, finish second at the SWAC Championships, and qualify for the NCAA Regional Championships. Teresa added silver medals in both the 5000m and 10,000m to cap off her season.

The Braves carried their success into 2025 indoors, highlighted by Derrick Williams, who set a school record in the 200m (20.98) and placed second at the SWAC Championships. Alocias Kipngetich established a new school record in the 800m (1:54.65), while the men’s 4x400m relay also etched their names into the record books with a program-best performance.

The 2025 outdoor season proved historic for Alcorn State. Derrick Williams lowered his own 200m school record to 20.56 and qualified for the NCAA Regional Championships in both the 100m and 200m. Vederek Matthews set a new standard in the 110m hurdles (13.97), while the men’s 4x400m relay broke the school record in 3:09.99. The highlight came from Trellas Forrest, who became the SWAC Champion in the 400m with a school-record 45.28, qualifying for both the NCAA Regional Championships and the USA Track & Field Outdoor Championships, further cementing Alcorn’s national presence.

Before joining Alcorn, Banks served three years as the head coach at Mississippi Valley State University, where he coached multiple SWAC champions and medalists, including hurdler Darrione Joseph and thrower Tiara DeRosa, who was named Most Outstanding Field Performer at the 2021 SWAC Championships.

Banks also enjoyed a successful six-year tenure at Southern Arkansas University, where he was promoted to associate head coach in 2018. His athletes earned 130 All-Conference honors, nine GAC Athlete of the Week awards, and broke numerous school records. He coached multiple NCAA Division II provisional qualifiers, all-region athletes, and conference champions, including All-American Kenisha Bryant, long jump and sprint standout Karonce Higgins, and triple jump record-holder Aurthur Jeffery.

A decorated collegiate athlete himself, Banks competed at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) under legendary coach Joe Walker. He was a three-time All-American, the 1996 SEC 400m Champion, a five-time All-SEC First Team performer, team captain and MVP, and qualified and competed in the USA Track & Field Indoor/Outdoor  Championships. He also helped Ole Miss capture the 1999 Penn Relays Championship of America title in the 4x400m relay.

Banks earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Ole Miss in 1999. He holds a USATF Level 1 Certification and a USTFCCCA Specialist Certification in Sprints, Hurdles, and Relays. He is married to Kogrecha Banks, and together they have four children: sons Tyrenzo, Ta’Zion, and Taahir, and daughter Ti’Alone’.