STARKVILLE — Johnnie Harris has been by Vic Schaefer’s side in the six years they have worked to put the Mississippi State women’s basketball program on the national map.
Harris’ hard work and dedication in helping the Bulldogs to one of the best seasons in school history was recognized Tuesday, as the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) named her Division I Assistant Coach of the Year.
“It is such a tremendous honor to be named the Assistant Coach of the Year,” Harris said. “I appreciate the WBCA and the committee for selecting me, and I am so thankful for the opportunity coach Schaefer has given me to do what I do. We have such a great group of players and staff here at Mississippi State, and I share this with all of them.”
The Bulldogs’ associate head coach has assisted Schaefer in building a program that has won 123 games the last four years and made the NCAA tournament each of those seasons.
During that time, MSU has set the school-record for wins each of the last three seasons. Monday’s win against Oklahoma State earned MSU a third-straight Sweet 16 berth and tied last year’s squad for the most wins in program history with 34.
This season, Harris has been a key component in helping guide MSU to a 34-1 record, the school’s first Southeastern Conference championship in a women’s sport with a perfect 16-0 league mark, and MSU’s first No. 1 seed in the NCAA tournament.
Alongside Schaefer, Harris helped MSU finish the regular season 30-0, the first SEC team to wrap the regular season undefeated in 20 years. State also won 32-straight games, the second-longest win streak in conference annals.
“I think it is long overdue,” Schaefer said. “There is no question in my mind Johnnie is the best in the business. I was not taking the Mississippi State job if she was not coming with me. She has been so valuable to our success here at Mississippi State, and I couldn’t be happier for her. I think it is an honor that is well deserved. We are very proud of her.”
One of the key reasons for the Bulldogs’ success has been the play of one of Harris’ pupils in the post, Teaira McCowan. Under Harris’ guidance, McCowan has been one of the most-improved players in the country, earning first-team All-America honors from ESPNW after scoring 9.1 more points per game and pulling down 6.2 more rebounds per game than a year ago when she was named SEC Sixth Woman of the Year.
She also was named first-team All-SEC and SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Year as a member of the league’s All-Defensive Team. She has a program-best 25 double-doubles, which is fourth in the nation.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 37 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.