Auburn Welcomes Larry Vickers as New Women’s Basketball Head Coach

The Johnnie Harris era recently came to an end at Auburn. After a few weeks of searching, Auburn found her replacement. After nearly a decade at Norfolk State, Larry Vickers will be the 5th Head Coach of Auburn Women’s Basketball. Vickers amassed a record of 177-99.

The last three seasons, the Spartans, under Coach Vickers, really seemed to catch their stride. Notably, the Spartans clinched four regular-season Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) titles and three conference tournament championships under his guidance. Vickers’ ability to elevate a program with limited resources will be crucial. Auburn has not been a big spender in Women’s Basketball. Vickers proclivity to have his teams compete with more talented teams, on paper, will serve him well as he looks to continue the rebuild of the Auburn program.

Defensive Mastery

Auburn has been a tough defensive squad under Coach Harris. That looks to continue under Vickers’ coaching philosophy. His teams at Norfolk State consistently ranked among the nation’s best in defensive metrics. The Spartans were in the top three for scoring defense in two of the past three seasons. Additionally, they achieved top rankings in opponent turnovers, turnover margin, steals, and blocks per game. Auburn fans can anticipate a team that continues prioritize defensive intensity.

Statements from the Introductory Press Conference

During the introductory press conference, both Athletic Director John Cohen and Coach Larry Vickers shared their enthusiasm and vision for the future of Auburn women’s basketball.​

Athletic Director John Cohen expressed his confidence in Vickers’ appointment, stating, “​Throughout the search process, one name continually rose to the top—Larry Vickers. 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.”

Recruiting and Player Development

Coach Vickers will have his work cut out for him. He has built a reputation and a great developer of talent. That will be put to the test in a touch SEC. After the departure of Coach Harris, a recruiting class that showed promise fell apart. Most of the players de-committed and a lot of the current roster entered the transfer portal. He will need to hit the ground running to put together a serviceable roster for the upcoming season. In summary, Larry Vickers’ arrival at Auburn heralds an exciting era for the women’s basketball program. His impressive track record, defensive focus, and dedication to player development position him as a coach capable of steering the Tigers toward renewed success.