FAMU men's basketball parts ways with Harris

Eugene Harris was fired Thursday afternoon, one week after he coached the Florida A&M men's basketball team to a one-and-done appearance in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Tournament.

FAMU announced Harris' termination in a news release about five hours after he had a mid-afternoon meeting with athletic director Derek Horne. Harris will be on administrative leave with pay until June 10, the university said in its release.

During his four seasons, the Rattlers won 46 games and lost 80. Harris, who was hired in September 2007, had one year remaining on a five-year contract with an annual salary of $150,000.

FAMU gives Harris his pink slip

After four seasons of "underachieving", Florida A&M has parted ways with former head basketball coach Eugene Harris. Harris was notified of his termination in a four-paragraph letter he received in an afternoon meeting with Athletic Director, Derek Horne.

During his tenure as head coach, Harris amassed a record of 46-80. Over the course of the past two seasons, the losses are double the total of the wins at 21-42. This season completed his third consecutive of 20-plus losses.

Harris was in the fourth year of a 5-year contract at an annual rate of $150,000 per year. He will remain on administrative leave with pay until June 10, according to the FAMU press release.

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Florida A&M's Moore making big impact

Florida A&M freshman guard Avery Moore scored a 3-point transition field goal from near midcourt, while the Bethune-Cookman defense was crashing down around the basket.

On the ensuing Wildcats' possession, C.J. Reed hit a trey of his own. Immediately afterward, Moore and Reed briefly exchanged words. Moore flashed a smile. "He was telling me you're not scoring anymore," said Moore. "I'm the player of the year and this is my gym."

Moore didn't back down. Not on offense or on defense. Down to the final seconds in the Rattlers' overtime loss to B-CU, he made plays on both ends of the floor.

Dynamic duo leads FAMU into postseason

When coach LeDawn Gibson was recruiting Antonia Bennett and Tameka McKelton, she saw two players who had very different roles on their high school basketball teams.

McKelton was the star at West Palm Beach High, while Bennett played in the shadow of two featured players at Lakeland High. But Gibson, who is in her third season as head coach at Florida A&M, figured the diverse roles that they played could be meshed to form a nucleus for her program.


Videographer: FAMUSPORTS

FAMU looks to Bennett once again

DAYTONA — Coach LeDawn Gibson can begin preparing her Florida A&M women's basketball team with a little bit more emphasis on the role that forward Antonia Bennett will play during next week's MEAC tournament.

The cards played out in such a fashion during Thursday's final regular season games that the Rattlers won't play until the third day after competition begins in Winston-Salem, N.C. When they step on the court against Coppin State, it would be exactly a week after their 68-59 victory over Bethune-Cookman on Thursday at Moore Gymnasium.

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FAMU Rattlers push B-CU to overtime, but fall 73-71

DAYTONA BEACH — Two, three and four. Those are among the top teams in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference that fell victim to Florida A&M. The No. 1 team narrowly escaped.

FAMU took Bethune-Cookman University into overtime Thursday night before falling 73-71 in a thriller to end the regular-season for both teams. The win did nothing to help the Rattlers void having to start the postseason with a play-in game at the conference tournament next week, but it ended their best league play in three years with a 12-19 overall record and 7-9 in the conference.

In fact, the gutsy performance at Moore Gymnasium should go down as an epic battle between any two MEAC teams this season. It went right down to the final 2.2 seconds when Alexander Stalling converted a steal and scored the final field goal of the game.

Lady Rattlers Win Battle Against B-CU 68-59 at Historic Moore Gymnasium

The Florida A&M Lady Rattlers (15-14, 9-7 MEAC) fought hard down the stretch to hold off the B-CU Lady Wildcats (13-14, 5-10 MEAC) 68-59 in their final game before the MEAC tournament.

Shekeira Copeland led the Lady Rattlers in scoring with 19 points, mostly in the paint. Copeland also grabbed eight rebounds, three offensive, which contributed to her dominant inside presence. Tameka McKelton and Qiana Donald scored 13 points each, to round out the trio in double figures. Donald also grabbed seven rebounds for the Lady Rattlers.

B-CU’s Cleneice Roberts led all scorers, hitting 12-18 from the field for a total of 26 points. Jasmine Elum scored 15 points and was the only other Wildcat in double figures. Roberts also grabbed 11 rebounds, while Sarah Bolden nabbed eight.

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Hampton women crush FAMU, claim 1st MEAC title in 7 seasons

HAMPTON — Laura Lewis and Quanneisha Perry wrapped their arms around each others' shoulders and showed no sign of wanting to let go. Hampton University's two seniors combined for 25 points and 17 rebounds in an 88-49 victory against Florida A&M on Monday night that clinched HU's first Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference regular-season title in seven seasons.

"We are so excited," Lewis repeated, clinging to her fellow forward in a post-game interview.

"Every year, we were picked to finish fifth or fourth," said Perry, who had 13 points and 10 rebounds on Monday and now has 1,139 points and 897 rebounds in her four-year HU career. "(This year), hard work paid off."



Hampton falls short against FAMU 58-55

HAMPTON, Va. – The Hampton University men’s basketball team lost its third straight game on Monday night, dropping its home finale 58-55 to Florida A&M at the HU Convocation Center.

Junior guard Darrion Pellum (Hampton, Va.) had a chance to tie the game at the buzzer, but his deep 3-pointer bounced off the right side of the rim.

Pellum led the Pirates (19-7, 9-5 MEAC) with 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting, while junior guard Kwame Morgan (Largo, Md.) added 13 points despite shooting 4-for-13 from the floor. Junior forward Danny Agbelese (Lanham, Md.) pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds, and junior center Milade Lola-Charles (Laurel, Md.) blocked a career-high four shots.

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Howard Bison Use Free Throw Shooting To Down Florida A&M Rattlers

Washington, DC — Howard University was able to offset serious foul trouble with some good solid free throw shooting in the second half and pull away to a 59-50 win over Florida A&M University in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference men's game at Burr Gymnasium.

The Bison (6-20 overall, 4-9 in the MEAC), who have been undermanned all season, came into the game with nine players in uniform, two of which are walk-ons. The starting five, which has been logging an average of 36 minutes per game through most of the season, was put to the test when three of them were saddled with three fouls in the first 20 minutes.

Howard head coach Kevin Nickelberry went to his short bench early and often in an attempt to offset the disadvantage. The Bison got 10 points from...

Howard takes down FAMU at line

Howard offset foul trouble with solid free-throw shooting in the second half and pulled out a 59-50 win over the Rattlers in Washington.

The starting lineup for the Bison (6-20, 4-9 in MEAC) was put to the test when three players picked up three fouls in the first 20 minutes.

FAMU (11-16, 6-7) led 30-27 at halftime behind Amin Stevens' 14 points. Stevens finished with a game-high 22.

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Videographer: UrbanSportsITG

Running past the Rattlers

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - Junior Rotnei Clarke and sophomore Marshawn Powell led the University of Arkansas men's basketball team with 14 points each to a convincing, 94-55, victory over the Florida A&M Rattlers at Bud Walton Arena on Wednesday night.

The Razorbacks improve to 16-9 on the year while Florida A&M falls to 11-15. The Hogs end their non-conference schedule 10-0 at Bud Walton Arena this season.

"I am certainly happy to close out our non-conference schedule that way," Arkansas head coach John Pelphrey said. "Florida A&M had won four straight games and was playing their best basketball of the season. I thought that our defense played well in the first half and that the team was unselfish across the board. It was nice to be able to play everybody."



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FAMU women's basketball team celebrates after a big victory

There was a bit of a celebration in the locker room of the Florida A&M women's basketball team at the Lawson Center. And, it had nothing to do with the fact that the Rattlers are now in sole possession of third place in the MEAC.

The postgame merriment Monday night was spurred by the Rattlers reaching a team goal for the first time in a conference game when they defeated Delaware State University 68-46. The 46 points allowed was the cause for celebration.

Holding conference opponents to 55 or fewer points is one of the team's goals set by coach LeDawn Gibson, but FAMU has not been able to do so against a conference opponent until Monday night.

FAMU men win seventh straight game at home

Simply put — there is no place like home for the Florida A&M men's basketball team.

Amin Stevens scored 16 points and the Rattlers fought off a late surge from Delaware State University for a 69-63 victory to complete a four-game home stretch without a loss at the Lawson Center. The Rattlers improved to 10-1 at home and extended their consecutive win streak to seven on their home floor.

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NEXT GAME: FEBRUARY 19, 2:00 P.M. @ HOWARD UNIVERSITY, WASHINGTON, D.C.

Bennett hits 1,000 in FAMU win over UMES Hawks

Antonia Bennett had an attitude going into Saturday's basketball game against the University of Maryland Eastern Shore as if she wasn't going to let the Hawks build the kind of lead like they did when the two teams met a month ago.

Bennett scored 17 points in the first half for Florida A&M, reaching the 1,000-point plateau along the way, as the Rattlers rolled past UMES 81-58 at the Lawson Center. The win kept FAMU (12-11, 7-4) locked in a third-place tie with North Carolina A&T (11-11, 7-4), which beat Howard University to knock the Bison out of the three-way tie.

As important as the win was for the Rattlers' MEAC standing, the night clearly was....


Rattlers Sweep Hawks

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Antonia Bennett scored 17 first half points and became a member of the Lady Rattler 1,000 point club as the Lady Rattlers handed Maryland Eastern Shore an 81-58 loss, here Saturday afternoon at the Alfred Lawson Center.

FAMU (12-11, 7-4 MEA) had a pair of Lady Rattlers to score 20-plus points as Bennett finished with a game high 25 points to lead all scorers. Tameka McKelton dropped in 21 points followed by Shekeira Copeland with 14 points from off the bench, while Jasmine Grice added 10. Bennett led the Lady Rattlers on the boards with 10 rebounds.

Moore, Rattlers catch fire in win

Just before his men's basketball team returned to the floor to begin the second half, coach Eugene Harris pleaded with his players to be as accurate as they could from the free-throw line.

That was in spite of a first-half effort by former Rickards standout Avery Moore, who already had hit three of five 3-pointers against Maryland Eastern Shore. Moore went on to hit 15 of 17 points from 3-point range, but it was the insistent on free-throw accuracy that turned away the Hawks 63-55 Saturday night at the Lawson Center.

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FAMU guard McKelton scores her 1,000th point in win over Coppin State

With 46.9 left on the clock Monday night, Tameka McKelton walked to the free-throw line. She seemed relaxed. She hit the two shots. They were mere formality as the Florida A&M women's basketball team was about to wrap up a 73-62 victory over Coppin State University.

More importantly, the foul shots were McKelton's 20th and 21st points of the night as she became the first junior in a decade to score 1,000 career points at FAMU. The night's work at the Lawson Center was enough to give McKelton a career total of 1,011 points on a night that she obviously was pressured more by the probability of the milestone than anything that the Eagles did defensively.

FAMU protects home floor vs. Coppin State

Florida A&M might want to put up a sign outside the Lawson Center that lets visiting teams know that they're likely to come out of the place nicknamed the snake pit with a loss. Or so it seems.

Coppin State University became the sixth team to find out that the Rattlers are very protective when it comes to their home court. FAMU used the long ball in the second half to build a 14-point cushion then held off a late surge by the Eagles for a 60-58 victory.

The Eagles became the second consecutive team of the top three in the MEAC standings to stumble...


Videographer: atomicdog1983; FAMU vs. MSU, 2/5/11.

Grandmother should inspire FAMU fans to pack Lawson Center

His men's basketball team had just taken down Morgan State University, the team that the rest of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference had been looking up to for the past two seasons. Florida A&M head basketball coach Eugene Harris couldn't help feeling a little proud Saturday night. FAMU had won its eighth game in the Lawson Center for an 8-1 home record.

So you're feeling real good about this, eh coach? "Our motto is we're going to defend to the end," seems a good enough response. It was a beauty to watch. Just like Harris said, every player on the floor brought some hustle. Larry Jackson matched up tough against the Bears' two big men. Yannick Crowder was swatting rejections all over the place.

Let Harris tell it for those who weren't there.

PHOTO GALLERY: FAMU vs. Coppin State


Videographer: cvc318; SCSU VS. FAMU-- HALFTIME

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Florida A&M defeats Morgan State 63-59

Rattlers dominant at home against Morgan State

They haven't won a game on the road all season, but that might be just fine with coach Eugene Harris for right now. His Florida A&M men's basketball team is making gains when it plays at home.  For the second consecutive game at the Lawson Center, the Rattlers knocked off one of the powers of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference by downing defending conference champion Morgan State University 63-59 Saturday night.

The win gave the Rattlers (8-18, 3-6) an 8-1 record at home and snapped a two-game losing streak, while preventing the Bears (10-10, 6-3) from creating a logjam at the top of the conference standings. The display that the Rattlers put on was the result of having the entire roster back after injuries had depleted the team, Harris said.


Videographer: RattlerBoosters

Women's Basketball Needs Overtime to Silence Lady Rattlers, 63-54

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.- Moneshia Davis came off the bench and scored a game-high tying 15 points and Brittany Dodson added 13 points to lead Morgan State to a 63-54 overtime victory over host Florida A&M in a Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) game on Saturday evening at the Al Lawson Center. The win was the Lady Bears' sixth straight over the Lady Rattlers and just the ninth win in the series' 40 meetings.

Morgan State's Theresa Davis also came off the bench and fell shy of a double-double with a team-high nine rebounds and 10 points to help Morgan State to a 40-10 advantage over FAMU in bench scoring.

Shooting woes keep Rattlers under wraps

The Florida A&M women’s basketball team shot poorly in the first half, picked it up in the second, but reverted to its bad ways in overtime in losing Saturday night at the Lawson Center.

The Rattlers' two leading scorers Antonia Bennett and Tameka McKelton struggled and the team's inefficiency at the free-throw line added up to a 63-54 loss to Morgan State University. It was a loss that could haunt the Rattlers as they head into the final weeks of the regular seasons.

FAMU (10-11, 5-4) fell to a fourth-place tie with North Carolina A&T.

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Preview: Florida A&M vs. Alabama (Men); FAMU vs. Arkansas (Women)

Florida A&M, under the guidance of fourth-year head coach (and former UA assistant coach) Eugene Harris, recorded a 9-22 mark last year and returns eight players from 2009-10, while welcoming a group of newcomers that features five experienced junior college transfers.


When: 7:30 p.m. today
Where: Coleman Coliseum, Tuscaloosa
2009-10 records: FAMU (9-22), UA (17-15)
On the air: TV -- none; Radio -- WXFX-FM 95.1, WACQ-AM 1130, WHBB-AM 1490, WDXX-FM 100.1 (according to Alabama)

Probable FAMU starters: G Rasheem Jenkins (6-1, 185) 7.2 ppg.; G Chris Walker (6-6, 195) 8.1 ppg.; F Larry Jackson (6-6, 215) 8.9 ppg., 6.1 rpg.; F Yannick Crowder (6-8, 215) 8.0 ppg.; F Amin Stevens (6-6, 215) 5.7 ppg.

Probable Alabama starters: G Trevor Releford (6-1, 180) true freshman; G Senario Hillman (6-2, 195) 7.9 ppg.; F Tony Mitchell (6-6, 210) 9.2 ppg.; F Chris Hines (6-8, 227) 3.7 ppg.; F JaMychal Green (6-8, 228) 14.1 ppg., 7.2 rpg.

FAMU's outside chances rest on Alabama's perimeter

TUSCALOOSA -- If Florida A&M is to have an outside shot to upset Alabama in the season opener at Coleman Coliseum tonight at 7:30, the Rattlers probably need to make some outside shots. Crimson Tide coach Anthony Grant wasn't happy with his team's perimeter defense or offense in two exhibition victories.

College and Alabama-Huntsville. That should improve when sharp-shooting senior guard Charvez Davis returns soon from hernia surgery. The Crimson Tide's two opponents combined to sink 13 of 55 shots (.236) from 3-point range. "We got exposed in some areas," Grant said after the double-overtime victory over UAH.

Tide ready for change in fortunes

TUSCALOOSA It is officially the start of a new men’s basketball season for the University of Alabama, and its star player, forward JaMychal Green, says he wants this year to be different. “I want a change,” Green said after Monday night’s exhibition win over UAH. “I want us to win more and go to the NCAA Tournament.

“I think we were very close last year,” Green said. “It came down to us not getting key stops, or making a turnover, or not making a big shot.” Starting with tonight’s game against Florida A&M, the Crimson Tide can begin making that change happen.

Lady Rattlers - Razorbacks open season Today

FAYETTEVILLE - The University of Arkansas women's basketball team opens the 2010-11 season Friday hosting Florida A&M in an 11:30 a.m. contest in Bud Walton Arena. The opener is the first of five consecutive home games for head coach Tom Collen and the Razorbacks.

"Well, we're excited to play," Collen said. "We had an exhibition game last week and saw some things we wanted to work on in practice. We've done that and now it's time to test that and see how far we've come. We are anticipating a great crowd and they are going to see a team that is really hungry and just wants to play."

The unusual start time of 11:30 a.m. accommodates a promotional event in which area elementary students have been invited to the game as a field trip. The event is paired with educational activities relating to health, nutrition and physical fitness.

"This is a really great event," Collen said. "I'm excited to have more than 2,500 screaming fans in the building, many of whom have not seen a basketball game on this level before."

GAME Time: 11/12/2010, 11:25 AM (Central Time)
MEDIA: Pay-for-View, RazorVision - Watch Live!

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FAMU men's basketball faces 'Bama early in year

Obviously missing from the 2010-2011 schedule for the Florida A&M men's basketball team is its annual matchup with the University of Florida, but the Rattlers will still play an SEC team in the early portion of a top-heavy schedule.

FAMU will open its season at Alabama on Nov. 12 as the only SEC team on the slate, unlike last season when it faced the Tide and Gators. Coach Eugene Harris said he opted not to renew a contract with UF this season.

Before the end of the November, FAMU also has dates with Cincinnati and Dayton before facing mid-major programs Florida International and Air Force to round out the nonconference portion of its schedule.



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Harris to stay on as FAMU men's basketball head coach

WINSTON SALEM, N.C. — Florida A&M men's basketball coach Eugene Harris wants more time to turnaround the program after three losing seasons, and it appears that he will get it, at least to the end of his current five-year contract. The Rattlers finished the season with a 9-22 record, the worst since Harris took over the program three years ago. FAMU was eliminated from the MEAC tournament by Bethune-Cookman University on Tuesday night, after coming in as the No. 10 seed with a 5-11 conference record.
























FAMU retains Eugene Harris as men's basketball coach with career record 34-60 (20-29 MEAC) and home game attendance average at all-time low of 1,539.

Fans have been calling for Harris' ouster since the team's 0-10 start, but with FAMU's athletic budget in the red, buying out the remainder of $150,000-a-year contract apparently isn't an option. The outcry reached a fever pitch last week when signs were placed around campus urging that Harris' firing. Rumors also have been circulating that some of his players might not return. But FAMU president James Ammons said he is honoring the university's contract with Harris.


"Coach Harris is our coach," Ammons said during a telephone interview Wednesday. "We are as disappointed as he is."

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FAMU Men Bounced From MEAC Tourney by rival Bethune-Cookman Wildcats

FAMU Coach Eugene Harris has not lived up to RattlerNation expectations with another first game exit from the MEAC Tournament. Harris has compiled a record of 19-43 with his recruits in the past two seasons, with attendance averaging at 1,539 in the new 10,000 seat Al Lawson Center.

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - Arch rival Bethune-Cookman ended the Florida A&M University Men’s Basketball 2009-10 season as they defeated the Rattlers 64-53 in the opening round of the 2010 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament, here Tuesday evening at the Lawrence Joel Veteran Memorial Coliseum. “I thought when our guys took the floors, we were ready to play, but we had some untimely turnovers that dug ourselves in a hole and was never able to recover,” said third year Men’s Basketball Coach Eugene Harris.

Brandon Bryant was the high man for FAMU (9-22) as he scored a team high 11 points. Both Rasheem Jenkins and Christopher Wallace finished with 10 points each. The Rattlers were led on the boards by Larry Jackson with nine rebounds, while Jenkins dished out five assists. B-CU (17-15) was paced by Clifford Reed, Jr., as he scored a game high 23 points and dished out five assists. Stanley Elliott added 12 points, while Kevin Dukes dropped in 10. The Wildcats were led on the boards by Elliott, who finished with a team high eight rebounds.

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The Florida A&M University Rattlers have the best Division I basketball arena in the South with the 10,000 seat Al Lawson Center, opened in late 2009.

The Coach Eugene Harris File:

Florida A&M University: NCAA Division I

Salary: $155,000 annually (Completed 3rd season of 4 year contract)

Seasons: 3 (2007-2010)

FAMU Career Record: 34-60, (0.361) Winning Percentage

MEAC Conference Record: 20-29 (0.408) Winning Percentage

MEAC Conference Titles: 0

NCAA Tournament Teams: 0

NIT Tournament Teams: 0

All-Americans: 0

NBA Draft Picks: 0

Average Wins per season: 11

Average Losses per season: 20

Blowout Games (decided by >19 points: 1-25) - 0.038%

Arena: Al Lawson Center (2009) - Capacity: 10,000 seats

Men's home attendance: Low: 202; High: 5419;

Total men's team home attendance for 12 games: 18,469

Average men's game home attendance: 1,539

FAMU Harris: His time came

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Eugene Harris always thought one day he would be a college basketball head coach. And though there were times when he might’ve seemed was a long way from that goal, Harris himself kept thinking it eventually would happen.

“I always thought I was ready for a head coaching job,” said Harris, a Scottsboro native. “You have to persevere. I’ve been one of those guys that never gives up on anything.” Last September, Harris’ patience was rewarded. That’s when he was selected from among an applicant pool of 200 to become the new head men’s basketball coach at Florida A&M University in Tallahassee, Fla.

Harris was heading into his first season as an assistant at Georgia State when the FAMU job opened after the former coach left under a cloud of controversy.

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FAMU selects men head basketball coach

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.

Graham or Harris, FAMU's next men basketball coach

Florida A&M University athletic director Nelson Townsend confirmed last evening that the selection process for the new head basketball coach is nearing completion. The two finalist are Georgia State assistant coach Eugene Harris and former Colorado assistant coach Paul Graham. If your questions are like mine--who the heck are these guys and what do they bring to the table, here are a brief bio on both.

FAMU is currently conducting background checks and Mr. Townsend and FAMU President Dr. James Ammons are expected to make the public announcement on the selection as soon as a contract is finalized. The announcement is expected next week.

These are exciting times for FAMU and the MEAC. Each of the coaches brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our conference. With the new teaching gym, expect FAMU to become a mid-major power in basketball---soon. (beepbeep)

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.


Coach Paul Graham

(from Web files - Colorado basketball)

Paul Graham coached for fourth season with Colorado and brings over 19 years of coaching expertise. “Paul is a great addition to our staff and brings vast experience having served with future Hall of Fame coach Eddie Sutton,” Patton added. “Paul adds a great deal of experience and knowledge, and we expect him to continue to add to the success this team will have.”

Graham, 55, came to Boulder from Washington State, where he was the head coach from 1999-2003. He assists the Buffaloes with on the floor coaching, the development of the student-athletes, recruiting and scheduling. With over 18 years coaching experience, Graham was an assistant at Southern Methodist University, the University of New Mexico, and Oklahoma State, with 12 of his teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament. In 1995, Graham was part of a coaching staff at OSU from 1992-1999 that went 150-72 with five NCAA Tournament appearances including the 1995 Final Four when the Cowboys lost to eventual national champion UCLA. Five of those NCAA teams produced 20-win seasons.

At New Mexico from 1990-92, Graham was an assistant coach and helped the Lobos to a 40-23 record and a NCAA Tournament appearance in 1991. While an assistant at SMU, Graham helped the Mustangs to three NCAA Tournament berths (1985, 1986, 1988) and 129-58 mark. In addition to his coaching experience, Graham was the head boys’ coach at Justin F. Kimball High School in Dallas from 1974-82 with an impressive 111-40 record. Graham graduated from North Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and history minor in 1974 and earned his master’s degree in Education Administration from Prairie
View University in 1979. While at North Texas, he qualified for the NCAA Track and Field Championships in the high hurdles.

Born March 11, 1951, in Kansas City, Kan., Graham graduated from Sumner High School and was a member of a state championship basketball team as well as being an all-city basketball selection and a state track champion in the high hurdles and 60-yard dash. Graham and his wife, Vanessa, have two children, Nicholas (25) and Brittany (19).

The Graham File

Full Name: Paul Graham
Family: Wife Vanessa, son Nicholas,
daughter Brittany
Birth-date: March 11, 1951
Hometown: Kansas City, Kan.
High School: Sumner High
College: North Texas State ‘74
Graduate School: Prairie View ‘79
Coaching Career
2003-Present
Assistant Coach, University of Colorado
1999-2003
Head Coach, Washington State
1992-99
Assistant Coach, Oklahoma State
1990-92
Assistant Coach, New Mexico
1989-90
Head Cross Country Coach, Samuell
High School (Dallas, Texas)
1988-1989
Assistant Athletic Director, Southern
Methodist University
1982-88
Assistant Coach, Southern Methodist
University
1974-82
Head Coach, Kimball High School
(Dallas, Texas)

If Walls Could Speak...

Here is what is coming out of Houston regarding Paul Graham who received the endorsement of the Houston Chronicle sports writer Ronnie Turner on August 19, 2007, for the vacant head coaching position for basketball at Texas Southern University.

"Speaking of Texas Southern athletic director Alois Blackwell, he really needs to speed up his search for a men's basketball coach. Classes start Aug. 27, and there's no one in place to help prepare the Tigers for the upcoming season.

Some alumni have pushed for the hiring of former Rocket and Basketball Hall of Famer Calvin Murphy, but I'm not so sure this would be a wise thing. After all, Murphy doesn't have any real coaching experience, and probably isn't too familiar with NCAA rules.

Considering the turmoil the TSU athletic department is currently mired in, the school can't afford to screw up this coaching hire. TSU needs someone who is very familiar with NCAA rules, who has several years of experience at the collegiate level and who has the top-notch credentials that recruits look for when deciding on which coach to sign with. TSU needs someone like former Colorado assistant coach Paul Graham.

I can't vouch for the other candidates (many whom I don't know), but Graham, who spent the last four seasons on Ricardo Patton's staff at Colorado, would be my pick for the job. Graham, who put in his application last week, probably has the best resume of the entire group.

Graham, 56, has 22 years of experience at the collegiate level, including a four-year stint as head coach at Washington State (1999-2003). He was apart of three NCAA Tournament teams (1985, 1986, 1988) as an assistant at SMU from 1982-88, and five NCAA Tournament teams as an assistant under legendary coach Eddie Sutton at Oklahoma State from 1992-99. He also helped lead the Cowboys to an appearance in the 1995 Final Four.

I spent nearly an hour talking with Graham on Saturday night, and he's excited to have a chance at another head coaching gig. His four years at Washington State produced a lowly 31-79 mark, but he's confident that, given some time, he could turn around the TSU program.

Graham's former boss, Patton, left Colorado at the end of last season and was hired by Northern Illinois, but Graham declined to join him. Now out of work, Graham is simply praying for another opening into the college coaching business.

After our conversation, I'm convinced Graham has a great vision for the TSU program, which I'll share with you at some point in the near future. However, it's been a long day, so I think I'll bring this entry to a close and call it a night.

Anyways, Graham is my pick, but that's just me. Who would you rather have: a highly-experienced coach such as Graham or a basketball celebrity with few, if any, coaching credentials such as Murphy?
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9/14/2007 - The Houston Chronicle reported that the leading candidate at Texas Southern is Kevin Granger. He is the school's leading career scorer and led the nation in scoring in 1996.