What They’re Saying About Nikki McCray-Penson

John Cohen -- Mississippi State Director of Athletics

"Nikki brings energy, creativity, and a winning mentality to Mississippi State that will inspire our student-athletes and community. She has earned a national reputation as an outstanding teacher of the game, dynamic recruiter and a developer of young women on and off the court. Nikki has achieved success at every step of her career, both as a coach and player. She is a proven winner who will lead one of the best women's basketball programs in the nation. We are excited to welcome Nikki and her family to Starkville and are thrilled that she will lead us into the next chapter of Mississippi State women's basketball."

Mechelle Voepel -- ESPN.com

"It's great to see someone who reached the highest level of basketball as a player have also worked so hard to earn the chance to take over a program the caliber of Mississippi State. There are no doubt Bulldogs fans who remember seeing first-hand how tenacious a competitor Nikki McCray was when she played at Tennessee. And they watched what she helped build at South Carolina as an assistant coach. She excelled in her first head coaching role at Old Dominion, and it just seems fitting that she's coming back to the SEC."

Dawn Staley -- Head Coach of USA Basketball and South Carolina

"Nikki is a winner. Nikki is a worker. Nikki is someone that will definitely have great success at Mississippi State. It is incredibly cool to share the sideline in the SEC with Nikki. I am looking forward to seeing her growth and leave her mark on the recruiting world like she did Old Dominion as well as with South Carolina. I know we have had a tremendous rivalry with Mississippi State, and it just got bumped up a notch or two with Nikki on the sideline. She is my friend for life. She was once a teammate. She was once a colleague. Now, we get to duke it out against each other. Everyone here at Gamecock women's basketball is happy for Nikki, and we can't wait to spend time looking down the sidelines at each other. Mississippi State, you got a real one, you got a good one, and she will make an immediate impact on everybody that she touches in Starkville."

Holly Rowe -- ESPN Reporter & Play-by-Play Commentator

"This is such a home run. Nikki is a winner and survivor. Vic built something special in Starkville, and I am confident these amazing Hail State fans will embrace and love her just as much. She is a special person and a great coach. I am so happy for her and for the wonderful fans in Starkville, you got a winner."

Debbie Antonelli -- National Basketball Analyst

"I've been covering Nikki McCray since her All-American and championship years at Tennessee, since the ABL as the league's leading scorer and ABL Champ with the Columbus Quest, since she won Olympic gold medals, inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame and when she developed players at South Carolina. All of these milestone moments and the people associated with these moments define and shape her coaching philosophy, her caretaker responsibilities for the game and competitive drive. She worked hard, planned and prepared for an opportunity like Mississippi State. Nikki's pedigree and work ethic will keep Mississippi State thriving, challenging for titles and winning with people."

LaChina Robinson -- National Basketball Analyst

"Mississippi State gets 5 stars for hiring one of the most respected players, coaches, and contributors to the game of women's basketball. Nikki is a brilliant basketball mind whose ability to develop authentic relationships and energize her players as a teacher are unmatched. Bulldog fans have a reason to celebrate, Nikki is a winner in all facets of life."

Victoria Vivians -- 2018 Ann Meyers Drysdale Award Winner & Three-Time All-American Guard at MSU

"Mississippi State means so much to me, and I'm so excited Coach McCray is coming to Starkville. I've heard nothing but great things about her, and I can't wait to see the impact she makes on this program. Once a Bulldog, always a Bulldog."

Danielle Robinson -- Las Vegas Aces Guard & Three-Time All-Star

"Woke up to the news of Nikki McCray-Penson getting the job at Mississippi State, and I am just overjoyed for her. She's so deserving! Wishing you all the best coach and tons of success!"

Mississippi State University Athletics