Purcell named as the MSU Women’s Head Basketball Coach

After an extensive search, Mississippi State University has named Sam Purcell as their new Women’s Head Basketball Coach.

MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen made the announcement on Saturday.

Sam Purcell (photo by Louisville Athletics)

“During our search, Sam Purcell routinely emerged as one of the nation’s elite recruiters and more importantly, a terrific fit to lead our program,” Cohen said. “Sam has been an integral part of some of the most successful teams in women’s basketball. He is creative, meticulous, and has shown a proven ability to recruit the nation’s top talent and develop student-athletes. Sam is synonymous with the Mississippi State culture and understands the deep meaning of family. We are confident that Sam will elevate every facet of our program. We are pleased to welcome him, his wife Meghan, and his three daughters Reese, Rylee and Reagan to the Mississippi State family.”

Purcell was a longtime assistant coach at the Fifth ranked Louisville for nine years.

Nikki McCray-Penson stepped down as head coach in October to focus on her health, Doug Novak stepped in as interim coach but then also resigned.

Purcell expressed his excitement after being named as head coach of the Lady Bulldogs.

“I’m honored and humbled to be the head women’s basketball coach at Mississippi State University, and I am appreciative to John Cohen and the entire university administration for this opportunity,” Purcell said. “The Purcell family is thrilled to be coming to Starkville, and we can’t wait to meet the team and the entire Bulldog Family. Mississippi State women’s basketball is synonymous with winning, and I fully intend to continue that winning culture. Hail State.”

In his nine year as a Louisville assistant, 10 of Purcell’s players have entered the WNBA Draft and most of them were selected in the last three years.

With over 19 years of  coaching experience, Purcell will take over MSU who went 15-12 this season.