Thursday at 1:00 p.m., Florida A&M University will hold an official press conference to introduce its new men head basketball coach to replace Mike Gillespie. Unfortunately, the selection will come as no surprise to many that frequent the Tallahassee Democrat's FAMU forum or read ESPN.com, who publicly released an announcement on the selection yesterday, based on information from multiple sources.
As expected, the new coach selected is Florida State University graduate and Georgia State University assistant coach, Eugene Harris. Our only hope and wish is that Coach Harris is given the support necessary to build FAMU into a national mid-major power that will be a beast in the MEAC and southeast with frequent NCAA tournament appearances. With a 10,000 seat FAMU Teaching Gym under construction, this is not an impossible task for a coach with a reputation as an excellent recruiter and developer of Division I players.
No doubt the MEAC will become much stronger Thursday with this hire, as the league is showing a serious commitment to basketball. If the upgrade in talent continues to flow to Delaware State, Hampton University, Morgan State, South Carolina State, FAMU, Winston Salem State and other league members, the MEAC will become very exciting to watch. How can you not like the basketball coaching talent of the MEAC? Welcome, Coach Harris....
Bio: Coach Eugene Harris (photo on right)ATLANTA (April 23, 2007) – Georgia State head men’s basketball coach Rod Barnes has announced Eugene Harris as his second hire for his new coaching staff.
Harris, a veteran of 23 years in college athletics in the southeast, brings more recruiting contacts and experience with his basketball knowledge.
“Eugene Harris is known as one of the best recruiters in the southeast,” Barnes noted. “We are excited to be able to add him to our staff at Georgia State because he is well thought of and respected. No doubt, he will be an asset in helping us take this program to a higher level.”
Harris began his college coaching with Cliff Ellis at South Alabama in 1983 and moved on to 10 years at Clemson University, 11 years at Auburn and one year at Alabama. He has also been a high school coach at Rickard High in Tallahassee, Fla., Pelham High in Pelham, Ga. and Smiths Station High in Smiths, Ala.
As a college player, Harris was a three-year starter for the Seminoles of Florida State under Coach Hugh Durham. The guard was a co-captain of the Florida State team that won the Metro Conference in 1978 and was the team’s most valuable defensive player winner for three seasons.
“It is obvious that Coach Harris has improved the programs every where he has been a coach,” Barnes added. “He brings invaluable experience and maturity to our program. I know he has recruited not only good college players, but players who have gone on to play extensively in the NBA.”
Harris is a graduate of Scottsboro, [Ala.] High School and of Florida State University in 1979.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to coach with Rod Barnes,” Harris said. “Coach Barnes has an outstanding reputation on and off the court. I look forward to helping improve this program.”
Harris and his wife, Phyllis, have three daughters.
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