The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

Yolett McPhee-McCuin has signed a contract extension as head coach of the Ole Miss Women’s basketball programme that will see her remain at the helm through the 2026 season.

McPhee-McCuin’s previous deal was set to expire in 2025 but both sides agreed to restructure the new deal which was officially announced yesterday.

“I am humbled and grateful for the support from Chancellor Boyce, athletics director Keith Carter, senior women’s administrator Jennifer Saxon and the rest of our administration,” said McPhee-McCuin.

“Their commitment recognises the accomplishments that our programme has achieved, reflects their belief in the long-term vision that has been put into place, and demonstrates their unwavering trust of the success of our programme in the future.

“In addition, I’m thankful for the loyal support of our faculty and staff, boosters and our fans.

“I am looking forward to building on the foundation of our success and continuing to lead a programme that represents our fans, the university and the state of Mississippi.”

Ole Miss vice chancellor for intercollegiate athletics, Keith Carter, said the continued growth of the programme has the support of the entire community.

“We have continued to state emphatically that Ole Miss is going to compete for championships, and under Coach Yo’ leadership, our women’s basketball team has risen to that level of competitiveness,” Carter said.

“She has been relentless in elevating our programme on the court, in the classroom, in the community and in every element of our student-athletes’ experience. We are excited to make this commitment to Coach Yo and look forward to standing by her side as we raise banners at The SJB Pavilion soon.”

After much speculation on social media following their exit from the NCAA Tournament in April, McPhee-McCuin reassured the Ole Miss fanbase of her commitment to the programme.

The 2021-22 season came to a disappointing end for Ole Miss in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Ole Miss, the no.7 seed in the Wichita Region, suffered a 75-61 upset loss to the no.10 seed South Dakota Coyotes. Ole Miss concluded the season 23-9, 10-8 in the SEC to earn an at-large bid and the no.7 seed in the Witchita Region. It was their first NCAA Tournament appearance in 15 years.

McPhee-McCuin led Ole Miss it’s first top 25 ranking since 2007. The season was highlighted by a 13-game win streak, the third longest win streak in programme history. It also included wins over three ranked opponents.

In conference postseason play, Ole Miss earned its first SEC Tournament Semifinal game appearance in 29 years.

Defensively Ole Miss blocked a single-season record 142 shots and held a school record 10 opponents under 50 points. She also led the Rebels to 10 SEC wins and its best conference finish since 1993. Ole Miss also appeared in its first SEC Tournament semifinal since 1994, as the fourth overall seed. The Rebels also found themselves slotted in the national polls with its first AP Poll appearance since 2007, when Ole Miss came in at No. 24 on January 24.

McPhee-McCuin also recently produced the highest drafted Ole Miss player in programme history when Shakira Austin was recently selected third overall by the Washington Mystics.

Austin was named a three-time All-America Honorable Mention, earned First-Team All-SEC recognition for the second year in a row and was awarded the Gillom Trophy for the second time in her career.

McPhee-McCuin joined the Rebels in 2018 with expectations to rebuild a programme that struggled in recent years and was in the cellar of the SEC.

In her first year at the helm the team finished 9-22, 3-13 in conference play, and the season concluded with a first round loss in the SEC Tournament.

In year two, The Rebels finished the season at 7-23 and suffered another opening round loss in the tournament. In year three, the Rebels finished the season 15-12, for their first winning season since 2016-17. After an 11-11 regular season, 4-10 in the SEC, they advanced to the first SEC Quarterfinal since 2004. Their résumé included three wins against ranked teams and four Top-50 NET wins. They eventually fell to Rice in the WNIT title game.

McPhee-McCuin previously led the Jacksonville Dolphins programme to the Tournament in 2016. She also led the Dolphins to their first ASUN Tournament title and NCAA Tournament berth.