Donika Sutton was introduced as Tennessee State University’s head women’s volleyball coach on January 16, 2017, and will enter her 10th season leading the Tigers during the 2026 campaign. Bringing more than 16 years of collegiate coaching experience, Sutton has overseen a period of sustained growth and competitive success while elevating the Tennessee State volleyball program on and off the court.
Under Sutton’s leadership, Tennessee State captured the 2022 Ohio Valley Conference Volleyball Championship — the program’s first conference title since 2007 — earning an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The championship season featured three First Team All-OVC selections, three additional All-Conference honorees, two OVC Academic Medal of Honor recipients, and a First Team Academic All-American.
Following the historic season, Sutton was recognized nationally as the WeCOACH December Coach of the Month, an honor celebrating excellence in competitive success, leadership, and program culture.
Known for her innovative coaching approach, attention to detail, and strong player relationships, Sutton has built a culture centered on competitive excellence, academic achievement, community engagement, and personal development. Her commitment to student-athlete growth both on and off the court continues to shape the identity of Tennessee State volleyball.
Prior to arriving at TSU, Sutton served as head coach at South Carolina State University from 2011–12. She led the Bulldogs to their first winning season in seven years in 2011, finishing 17–16 overall and 8–2 in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference play. During her tenure, Sutton coached consecutive MEAC Players of the Year (2011 and 2012), four All-MEAC selections, and 10 All-MEAC Academic Team honorees, while South Carolina State ranked first nationally in service aces per set in 2011.
Sutton previously served as an assistant coach at South Carolina State from 2009–10, helping guide the Lady Bulldogs to a MEAC Championship and NCAA Tournament appearance.
Her contributions to the sport were recognized with induction into the South Carolina State University Sports Hall of Fame in 2021.
As a student-athlete, Sutton began her collegiate career at Southwest Missouri State–West Plains, where the program ranked third nationally in NJCAA regular-season polls and finished fifth at the National Junior College Championships. She later competed at Panola College before transferring to Alcorn State University. At Alcorn State, Sutton earned Preseason All-SWAC, All-SWAC, and All-Tournament honors, was named SWAC Newcomer of the Year in 2002, and received the program’s Blocking Award in 2003.
A native of Hayti, Missouri, Sutton earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from Alcorn State University.
