A new era: Pearl River selects Govan-Williams to lead women’s basketball program

Story from PRCC Athletics:
POPLARVILLE, Miss.(VDN)— For the first time in more than a decade, the Pearl River women’s basketball team will be under new leadership. 

Pearl River Director of Athletics Patrick Ochs announced Friday the hire of Shanae Govan-Williams as the program’s new head women’s basketball coach. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Shanae Govan-Williams to our college community. Her passion for the game, commitment to student-athlete development and proven leadership make her an outstanding choice to lead our women’s basketball program into its next chapter,” Pearl River Community College President Dr. Adam Breerwood said. “I’m confident that under her guidance, our student-athletes will thrive both on and off the court.”

Govan-Williams replaces Scotty Fletcher, who led Pearl River for 10 seasons before accepting the head coach position at Louisiana-Monroe.

“When we started this process, one name kept coming up over and over again. Coach Shanae Govan-Williams checks all the boxes of what we’re looking for in our women’s basketball coach. She is a proven leader and motivator of young women who will get the best out of our student-athletes — on the court, but most importantly, in the classroom and community. She has extensive knowledge of Mississippi and knows what it takes to win in the MACCC. She will love on her players as if they’re her own children. When she interviewed, she presented an excellent plan for building on the remarkable foundation Coach Fletcher and his staff left.

“We’re excited to add Coach Govan-Williams, her husband, Andrew, and son, Nash, to our Wildcat family.”

Govan-Williams, who spent the last two seasons at Coahoma, takes the reins of a program with a championship foundation. The Wildcats have won three of the last four MACCC Championships.

“I think everyone knows that this program is one of the best in the state and in the nation, and I’m excited to take it over,” she said. “What is most exciting is knowing the foundation that has been built and having an opportunity to keep it going in the right direction — and preferably to take it to another level.

“I’m not just going to build winners. I’m going to build young women. We promise you that we will put a product on the floor that the community, faculty, staff and students will be proud of. Our young ladies will leave our program better than they came.”

The Wildcats will play an exciting brand of basketball that combines defensive pressure with a fast-paced offense.

“We’re really going to get after it defensively,” Govan-Williams said. “Offensively, we will play fluid, up-tempo basketball. We will push the ball in transition and take quick shots.”

COACHING/RECRUITING STYLE
The Wildcats will recruit student-athletes who work hard and are talented, but Govan-Williams and her staff will make sure they have the right character.

“We want high-character individuals that are going to come and buy into what we’re doing,” she said. “We want girls who can be coached hard. They don’t have to have all of the tools in their bag because that’s what development is about. We want gritty players who are going to do whatever it takes to win.”

Govan-Williams is a loving and compassionate coach but has fire behind her when she needs it.

“I was a point guard, and at 5-foot-2, you have to have that spunk and grit, so I’m a little fiery,” she said. “I’m also very loving and compassionate to my student-athletes.”

COACHING EXPERIENCE
Govan-Williams most recently spent two seasons at Coahoma. In 2024-25, the Tigers were 22-5 overall and boasted an 11-3 record in the MACCC for a third-place finish. The Tigers advanced to the semifinal round of the Region 23 Tournament. In her first season with the Tigers, CCC was 17-8 overall and 9-5 in the MACCC, finishing fourth overall and advancing to the Region 23 Tournament quarterfinal. Between the two seasons, Coahoma won 40 games — the most in a two-year stretch in program history.

Govan-Williams got her coaching start at Lee Academy (Miss.) from 2015-17 and was successful immediately, turning a program that won two games in five seasons before her arrival into a playoff contender. She then took over at her alma mater, Crossett (Ark.), from 2017-21, increasing her win totals each year and securing back-to-back regional berths for the first time in school history. Govan-Williams led Magnolia (Ark.) for one season, guiding them to a 25-6 record, 14-0 conference record and their first Conference Championship since 2010. Her final high school stop was at Bryant (Ark.) in 2022-23. Her team earned a 6A State Tournament berth with a 15-11 record and sent three student-athletes to the next level.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE
Govan-Williams starred at Crossett High School, where she was a three-time Class 5A Southeast All-Conference selection and two-time 5A All-State honoree. As a senior, she led the Eagles in scoring, assists and steals. She was elite in the classroom, finishing in the Top 20 percent of her graduating class. 

She played her first two collegiate seasons at Arkansas Tech, appearing in 27 games and helping the Golden Suns advance to the NCAA Division II Elite 8. Govan-Williams played her final two years at Delta State. In 2012-13, she helped DSU finish 21-10, earn a GSC Championship and advance to the NCAA DII Sweet 16. She featured in all 31 games, averaging 2.5 points and 2.3 assists. As a senior, she started all 28 games, securing back-to-back GSC Regular Season titles. She averaged 6.9 points and 3.9 rebounds.

ABOUT GOVAN-WILLIAMS
Govan-Williams earned a Bachelor’s degree from Delta State before receiving her Master’s degree from Arkansas-Monticello. She’s currently pursuing her Doctorate of Rural and Diverse Communities from Southern Arkansas. Govan-Williams and her husband, Andrew, have one son, Nash. Additionally, Govan-Williams is a four-time published author.

The hire is pending board approval.