John Hampton enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Rutgers women's basketball program in the 2024-25 campaign. Hampton, former head coach at Clarkson University, works with the Rutgers’ wings while also serving as the team’s Defensive Specialist.
Hampton continued to aid in the growth of the Scarlet Knights during his second season on the floor with head coach Coquese Washington. The team celebrated its 50th season in program history, highlighting historic moments, players and coaches throughout the year, which culminated in a grand celebration for Alumni Weekend. RU also inducted its inaugural Knights of Honor class in the 1982, 2000 and 2007 teams with banner is Jersey Mike's Arena.
The squad earned its sixth advance sellout in program history and first since 2006, against Iowa, which became the most attended basketball game between men's and women's contests of the entire 2023-24 campaign.
During the 2023-24 season, Hampton worked with the Scarlet Knights centers, Chyna Cornwell and Kassondra Brown, both of whom continued to thrive under his watch. Cornwell averaged 7.3 points and 7.2 rebounds per game in addition to recording three double-doubles. She netted double figure points in eight outings and brought in 10+ boards nine times.
Brown averaged 8.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game along with securing one double-double. She also ranked third on the team in both assists (56) and blocks (19). Brown also surpassed 1,000 career points and ended the season with 1,205 total points to rank 28th all-time for RU.
In the 2022-23 season, Hampton helped Washington create a new, strong culture for the Scarlet Knights both on and off the court. He helped the program to reach its historic 1,000th win with a victory over Minnesota (Jan. 12), to become the 22nd Division I team and the third squad in the Big Ten to reach the milestone.
Hampton played a big role in the development of Chyna Cornwell in her breakout season. The junior forward picked up an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention (Media) and the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award. Cornwell was one of two Scarlet Knights to start all 32 games of the season as she averaged 9.5 points and a team-high 8.6 rebounds per game. She led the team with 274 total rebounds to rank third in the Big Ten and 105 offensive boards to tie for first in the conference.
The Conover, North Carolina product paced RU with nine double-doubles including four in Big Ten play and one in the opening round of the Big Ten Tournament against Northwestern (March 1). Cornwell's 16 rebounds against the Wildcats set the program’s new Big Ten Tournament program high which was set in 2015 by WNBA standout, Betnijah Laney.
Prior to joining the staff at RU, Hampton spent seven seasons on the sideline at St. Joe’s as an assistant coach. There, he primarily worked with the post players, coordinated the defensive efforts and took charge of junior college recruiting during his seven years in Philadelphia. He helped lead the Hawks to the postseason twice, an Atlantic 10 Tournament title game, a Hawk Classic crown and a WNIT victory over Seton Hall.
Hampton also worked with the backcourt during his stint at SJU, guiding the team to its best assist and steal numbers during his time on the sidelines. Overall, he mentored four Atlantic 10 All-Conference honorees, seven All-Big 5 performers, and a Big 5 Most Improved Player.
Before joining the Hawks, Hampton served as an assistant coach at Rider for one season in 2014-15.
Hampton earned the head coaching job at Clarkson University in 2010, holding the position through the 2014 season. He guided the Golden Knights to their most wins in a decade during the 2013-14 season, before moving on to the Division I coaching ranks. On the court, six players garnered All-Liberty honors, highlighted by the 2012-13 Rookie of the Year, while off the court, 10 players were named to the All-Liberty Academic Team. Along with assisting in fundraising campaigns and helping manage academic support programs, Hampton graduated from the NCAA's selective ACE (Achieving Coaching Excellence) program for Black Coaches and Administrators in 2013.
Right before taking over as head coach at Clarkson, Hampton served as a graduate assistant with the Golden Knights from 2008 to 2010.
A 2008 graduate of Mansfield University, Hampton joined the men's basketball program as a walk-on and went on to earn the team's MVP twice in 2007 and 2008. He was selected a PSAC All-Conference honoree as a senior. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration in 2008 and his master's degree in organizational leadership from SUNY-Potsdam in 2010.
Hampton comes to Rutgers with his wife, Kismet, and daughters, Eden and Ivy.
