DUNCANVILLE, Texas – One of the nation’s most storied girls’ high school basketball programs reached into its past to move forward.

Duncanville High School made it official this week by hiring LaJeanna Howard as its new head coach. Howard is a former assistant coach and star player from the Class of 2003. Howard spent the last seasons at Lincoln (Dallas). This past season Howard guided Lincoln to the Class 4A state semifinals in San Antonio, losing to Argyle, which won a fifth straight state championship. Lincoln finished 31-5.

She replaces Cathy Self-Morgan, who resigned and retired in February after the Pantherettes (31-6) lost in the Class 6A bi-district playoffs. Self-Morgan captured eight state crowns and went 1,170-287 in 42 years. Self-Morgan’s win total is sixth all-time according to the National Federation record book.

Self-Morgan came under scrutiny by the University Interscholastic League (UIL) or the state’s governing body, for recruiting violations. The Duncanville ISD hired outside counsel to investigate the violations but concluded there was insufficient evidence that Self-Morgan violated any rule, according to a published report. The UIL state executive committee ruled earlier this month that Self-Morgan was guilty of the recruiting violations and handed down a three-year suspension and public reprimand.

Self-Morgan maintains she did not commit the violations this past season or at any time in her coaching tenure. Self-Morgan concluded her 19-year run at Duncanville with five state titles and a sparkling 638-83 mark.

Howard, 33, played on Duncanville’s legendary 39-1 team which won the state championship in 2003. She played at Louisiana-Monroe of the Southland Conference and was hired as an assistant under Self-Morgan at Duncanville in 2014, and was on staff when the Pantherettes recorded a perfect 39-0 record while annexing the Class 6A title in 2016.

When the season starts in November, the Pantherettes will rebuild around talented prospects—Dejah Kelly (Class of 2020) and Nyah Wilson (Class of 2021).

Duncanville is a staple in the Blue Star Media Elite 25 and among the top teams in the Texas Class 6A rankings. That included the Blue Star Media National Championship and No. 1 ranking following the 2015-16 season.