HBCU women’s basketball coach accepts job at Power 4 university

Another HBCU women’s basketball coach will have a chance to prove themselves at the next level.

Larry Vickers, who led Norfolk State to their most successful period as a Division I school, was named head women’s basketball coach at Auburn Sunday morning.

“Throughout the search process, one name continually rose to the top – Larry Vickers,” Auburn athletic director John Cohen said in a statement released by the university. “Coach Vickers has an incredible technical understanding of women’s basketball. He demands excellence from his student-athletes while fostering an environment for young women to succeed. His understanding of the new landscape of college athletics is impressive. No one has worked harder for an opportunity like this than Coach Vickers. I am excited to welcome LV, Charisse, and their family to the Plains.”

Vickers, a former NSU men’s basketball player and assistant coach, led the women’s program for the past 10 seasons, collecting a 177-99 record and three consecutive MEAC tournament titles.

The Spartans, led by two-time MEAC player of the year Diamond Johnson and all-conference forward Kierra Wheeler, won 30 games this past season, the most in school history.

“I want to thank President Roberts, John Cohen and the entire search committee for this incredible opportunity to lead the Auburn women’s basketball program,” Vickers said. “Auburn is a great institution with one of the best athletics programs in the country. I am excited to get to work and help bring championship-level success to our women’s basketball program.”