Mississippi State introduced new women’s basketball coach Sam Purcell over the weekend, hoping to bring some stability to a program that has had very little of it over the past year.

Purcell comes to Starkville from the University of Louisville, where he served as associate head coach under Jeff Walz. While interim head coach Doug Novak did well to steady the ship during the 2021-22 season, earning the favor of players and fans along the way, but the introduction of Purcell brings a coach who has carefully waited for this sort of opportunity while gathering a wealth of experience as a coach, recruiter and program-builder at the highest level.

“The reason I was able to move up in this business is because I was with the right people,” Purcell said at his introductory press conference, thanking those who have given him a chance along the way. In addition to 10 years with Walz, he coached under Auburn’s Joe Ciampi as a grad assistant and under Tulsa coach Charlene Tomas-Swinson and longtime Georgia Tech coach MaChelle Joseph. 

At Louisville, Purcell played an important role as an assistant and recruiter for a program that has reached four Elite Eights and a Final Four. The Cardinals have high hopes for this year’s NCAA Tournament, going in as a No. 1 seed with a 25-4 record.

Purcell’s familiarity with Mississippi State started several years ago, when Louisville went up against Vic Schaefer’s Bulldogs in the 2018 Final Four in Columbus, Ohio. 

“As a coach, you’re trying to get your team right, and then to just feel that energy on the other side from Mississippi State was so impressive,” Purcell said, “and when this opportunity came it was a no-brainer, because my heart is in the SEC, I’m an Auburn grad, obviously. So I had my coaching career and opportunities. I came here a long time ago, my family is from the South, so it just checked all the boxes, a no-brainer in all aspects of my life, not just basketball.”

Purcell stressed the importance of building relationships as a coach, which not only made him a suitable candidate for Mississippi State but it drove home why he isn’t starting the job right away. He values the commitment he made to Louisville and plans to honor that through the end of their NCAA Tournament run.

It might be tough to balance starting this job and ending his previous one, but it shows a strong investment in staying true to promises made to his players. 

And he’s already started making a commitment to the Bulldogs. Purcell said he stayed up until midnight trying to reach out to as many of the players as he could, asking them “work with me” and “give me time.” 

“With players, the reason I’ve had success is trust,” Purcell said, “and I know I have to earn their trust, and that’s my job even though I’ll go back tonight and celebrate with Louisville as we find out who we play. I promise you I’m gonna be working for Mississippi State and staying in touch with those players every day to make sure they know when I come back it’s on, and it’s gonna be a joyride that we’ll never forget.”

The Louisville community responded with plenty of thanks and warm messages for Purcell, and though they were sad to see him go there was seemingly unanimous agreement that he is deserving of the chance to become a head coach. Former and current Louisville players extended their support for Purcell, including former Louisville player and current Indiana Fever guard Jazmine Jones

“(Mississippi State) is getting a great coach who’s going to work super hard and lose sleep to get the job done no matter what, but on top of that you’re getting an even better person who’s committed to excellence, has great integrity, and is a very loving and caring coach,” Jones said.

Four-star recruit and Mississippi Gatorade High School Player of the Year Debreasha Powe already reaffirmed her commitment to the program, and establishing clarity at the head coach position should benefit the Bulldogs as the staff looks to convince players to stay while recruiting top talent from high schools and the transfer portal.